The Centre has sanctioned the detailed project report (DPR) of ‘BharatNet’ – a scheme aimed at providing broadband connectivity to rural areas — for Tamil Nadu, which would be implemented by the State government. It has also earmarked ₹1,230 crore for the project.
According to an official release from the State government, the Union Ministry of Telecommunications cleared the DPR of the project, which was prepared and submitted by the Tamil Nadu Cable TV Corporation last month, for providing internet services through optical fiber cable.
Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had, in September 2015, announced in the Assembly that the Centre had accepted the State's plea to be allowed to implement the scheme on its own, and that it would be implemented through the Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation.
The State government earmarked ₹50 lakh for the Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation, and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Centre and the State governments over the project in April this year.
