9A. Establishment of Universal Service Obligation Fund.—(1) On and from the
commencement of the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 (8 of 2004), there shall be
established, for the purposes of this Act, a Fund to be called the “Universal Service Obligation
Fund”.
(2) The Fund shall be under the control of the Central Government and t here shall be
credited thereto—
(a) any sums of money paid under section 9B;
(b) any grants and loans made by the Central Government under section 9C.
(3) The balance to the credit of the Fund shall not lapse at the end of the financial year.
9B. Crediting of sum to Consolidated Fund of India.—The sums of money received towards the
Universal Service Obligation under section 4 shall first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India, and
the Central Government may, if Parliament by appropriation made by law in this behalf so provides,
credit such proceeds to the Fund from time to time for being utilised exclusively for meeting the
Universal Service Obligation.
9C. Grants and loans by the Central Government.—The Central Government may, after due
appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, credit by way of grants and loans such sums of
money as that Government may consider necessary in the Fund.
9D. Administration and utilisation of Fund.—(1) The Central Government shall have the power to
administer the Fund in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act.
(2) The Fund shall be utilised exclusively for meeting the Universal Service Obligation.
(3) The Central Government shall be responsible for the co-ordination and ensuring timely utilisation
and release of sums in accordance with the criteria as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act.]