New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) The government has collected Rs 41,740 crore as Universal Access Levy under Universal Service Obligation Fund in the last five years, Parliament was informed on Friday.

Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan said Rs 30,213 crore has been disbursed from USOF during the last five years.

Also Read | Year-Ender 2022 Recap: Lomon, Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Min-Ho – 10 Best Kdrama Actors Of The Year.

"During 2017-18 to 2021-22 (last five years) Rs. 41,740 crore, has been collected as Universal Access Levy (UAL) under Universal Service Obligation Fund out of which Rs. 30,213 crore has been disbursed from USOF during the said period," the minister said.

According to the date of disbursement shared by the minister, 53 per cent of the fund was disbursed for BharatNet project and 47 per cent for other USOF Schemes including installation of mobile towers, WiFi , submarine cable etc.

Also Read | OSSC Recruitment 2022: Vacancies Notified for 7,540 Teachers Posts at ossc.gov.in; Know Steps To Apply.

"Under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), 5% of the annual collection under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is to be provided for Research and Development of technology, product and service for the purpose of providing affordable telegraph service in rural and remote areas," Chauhan said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)