The office of the Administrator will consist of the Administrator and Deputy Administrators in SAG Scale, Directors from IP&T AFS, Gr. 'A' and ITS Gr. 'A' Other necessary staff in the Sr. Time Scale and JTS/Gr. 'B' of the IP&TAFS and ITS services will function under the Deputy Administrator/Directors. The Deputy Administrators will be placed directly under the control of the Administrator Cadre control of ITS/IP&T A..FS will however, continue to be with the respective Cadre Controlling authority.

There will be an Inter-Ministerial Advisory Committee chaired by the Administrator and appointed with the approval of Minister of Communications and Information Technology, consisting of officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission, Ministry of Law, Department of Telecommunications., Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and professionals I experts in areas of Telecom, Finance, Economics and Management. The Con1mittee will meet at such time and places as fixed by the Administrator.

·       To formulate the procedure for bidding including its terms and conditions, format of application, eligibility criteria and evaluation criteria for selection of Implementers pursuant to such bidding

·       To formulate the procedure for inviting and evaluating applications for selection of Implementers

·       To enter into agreement with Implementers

·       To settle claims and disburse funds from the Digital Bharat Nidhi to Implementers

·       To settle disputes with Implementers through mediation, arbitration, conciliation or judicial proceeding, as may be provided for in the agreement

·       To monitor, evaluate or verify the work done by Implementers through any competent body including any third-party agencies

·       To specify procedures and records, along with formats, to be maintained and furnished by Implementers

·       To engage persons including consultants, advisors or an entity for the purpose of planning, formulation, contract management, midterm review, verification, monitoring, financing, evaluation, impact assessment and management of schemes and projects

·       To specify the terms and conditions relating to the assets created from the funds disbursed from the Digital Bharat Nidhi

·       To undertake pilot study, pursuant to achieving the objectives of the Digital Bharat Nidhi

·       To create a digital portal to enable Implementers and other stakeholders to provide services, facilitate interaction, reporting and monitoring of schemes and projects

·       To perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Central Government for the purposes of achieving the objectives of the Digital Bharat Nidhi.

The Administrator shall have powers of Head of Department and shall be reporting directly to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. He shall be responsible for implementation of Universal Service Support in accordance with the guidelines laid down by Government.

In regard to the implementation of Universal Service Support Policy guidelines, the Administrator shall exercise the following powers, subject to the approval of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology:

• Formulation of benchmark costs.
• Finalizing of bidding procedures/processes including relevant terms and conditions for this purpose
• Constitution of appropriate evaluation and approval Committees for recommending successful bidders
• Issuing LOI to the successful bidder and finalizing contracts in agreements

All important matters of policy affecting License conditions of service providers will be dealt with in co-ordination and active consultation with Department of Telecom.

Within the overall approved budget and in accordance with contracts/agreements with successful bidders, the Administrator shall have full powers for implementation of Universal Service Support Policy. However, for operational, technical and financial matters, the Administrator may consult Department of Telecom whenever deemed necessary.

The following rules are made for the convenient transaction of business:- The Administrator will 

• Deal with broad policies and guiding principles for the administration of Universal Service Fund
• Review from time to time scope of USO and suggest such modifications therein to the Department of Telecom as may be deemed necessary.
• To estimate the aggregate of the USO support requirement on an annual basis.
• Develop benchmark costs for providing VPT/PTICIHI)TIC/Rural DELs at given locations and other models for estimating the cost of providing such facilities based on optimal network engineering in SDCA.
• Recommend changes in rates of Universal Service Levy to Telecom Commission as and when deemed necessary.
• Settle claims of eligible Service providers after due verification and make disbursements accordingly from the USO Fund Specify relevant formats, procedures and financial data/records to be maintained and furnished by the various service providers.
• Evolve a mechanism for monitoring the performance of the successful bidders with reference to the implementation of the contracts finalized with them
• Appoint Consultants and Professional agencies for evolving benchmark cost and detailing bidding procedures and such other matter necessary for implementing Universal Service Support. Appointments and Remunerations of Consultants will be in accordance with the Guidelines I Rules of Department of Personnel and Training.
• Formulate contracts/agreements and have them executed for the purpose for the implementation of USO.

The expenses relating to the establishment of USO administration including pay and allowances, TA, DA and other expenses of officials -will be made from the budget of DOT. Support of DOT will be provided for day-to-day operations of the Office of the Administrator.