(a) whether the rural areas have been covered under the subsidized telephone rate;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce `One India` telephone call rate;
(d) if so, whether the rural areas subsidized telephone rate is likely to go up after the `One India` telephone call rate plan; and
(e) if so, the measures taken by the Government to protect the interests of rural telephone subscribers?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Monthly rental varies from Rs. 50/- to Rs. 210/- depending on the exchange capacity, whereas average cost based rental is Rs. 361/-. Unit call charges for Metered Call Unit (MCU) between 76 to 300 is Rs. 0.80 and whereas no charges are levied for MCU upto 75.
(c) to (e) While Government is working towards One India Call Rate, the proposed measure is at initial stage. Government will protect the interests of rural telephone subscribers.