The World Service Fund (USF) has not started a single project in the past two years, despite receiving billions of communications operators.
The Fund, which is supported by mandatory contributions from telecommunications companies, has failed to make any progress in development initiatives.
Industry sources revealed that communications revenue over the past two years amounted to 1.77 trillion rupees, as operators have contributed about 26 billion rupees – 1.5 % of their total revenues – to USF.
However, the absence of representatives of the telecommunications industry on the USF board of directors has stopped progress and the lack of control of the Fund’s activities.
The sources indicated that despite the major contributions from the telecommunications sector, new projects were not launched under USF, which aims to enhance communication in the disadvantaged areas.
The lack of participation of industry in decision -making operations was cited as a major factor in delay and the recession of the fund’s projects.
