The project for provisioning of mobile services (2G based) in 2199 locations in left wing extremism (LWE) affected areas was approved on 20.08.2014. The work was awarded to M/s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on a nomination basis. Under the agreement (30.09.2014), Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund shouldered the capital expenditure for 1836 sites and operational cost for 2199 sites for five years (1836 new towers and 363 existing towers which are already installed by M/s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited in these areas). Subsequently, Ministry of Communications (MOC) and IT in June 2016 approved the provisioning of mobile services for additional 156 sites under the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) agreement.