The Telecom Commission has recommended the creation of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) for providing Broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayat across the country. Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Telecommunication said that the Commission's proposal will be placed before the Cabinet for approval. Terming it as a historical proposal, the sources said the benefits from the scheme are expected through additional employment, e-education, e-health and agriculture. The broadband connectivity will also arrest migration of rural population to urban areas. According to a World Bank study with every ten percent increase in broadband penetration, there is an increase in GDP growth by 1.4 per cent. The cost of the initial phase of NOFN scheme will amount Rs 20,000 crore.