INDIAN TELEGRAPH RIGHT OF WAY (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2021

• Recently, the Central Government has notified the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
• The rule aims to incorporate the provisions related to nominal one-time compensation and uniform procedure for establishment of Overground Telegraph Line in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016.

Important points:

• The amount of one-time compensation for establishment of an overground telegraph line will be a maximum one thousand rupees per kilometre.
• These amendments will ease RoW related permission procedures for establishment and augmentation of digital communications infrastructure across the country.
• Earlier, the RoW Rules had covered only underground Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) and mobile towers.
• There will be no fee other than Administrative fee and Restoration charges for establishing, maintaining, transferring or shifting the underground and overground telegraph infrastructure.

Significance:

• The digital divide between rural-urban and rich-poor will be bridged, in line with the Digital India mission and BharatNet project
• E-governance and financial inclusion will be strengthened.
• Doing business will be easy.
• Information and communication needs of citizens and enterprises will be fulfilled (including 5G).
• The dream of India’s transition to a digitally empowered economy and society will be translated into reality.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT