Underutilized USO Fund

Created in 2002 to boost telecommunication connectivity in the rural areas, the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund has huge unspent amount. As on January 31, 2016, a total of Rs 72,077 crore was deposited in the Fund since its inception in 2002. But its utilization has been only Rs 27,330 crore leaving behind a surplus of Rs 44,747 crore, which is 62 per cent of the total collection. Moreover, the Fund would add about Rs 8,000 crore to its kitty every year. But, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has no corresponding matching plans for accelerating the development of telecom in the rural areas.