The Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) of India has rapped the DoT for not utilising funds of over Rs 18,000 crore collected for promoting rural telephony and also for projecting a false scenario about the same.

"A total universal levy of Rs 26,163.96 crore was collected during 2002-03 to 2008-09 by the DoT, but a disbursement of only Rs 7,971.44 crore was made from the fund during the period," the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report on the Union government's performance.

While the DoT records show the closing balance of USO fund as ‘NIL’ at the end of March 31, 2010, the CAG said that the balance should have been Rs.18,192.52 crore.