(a) whether the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has increased the monthly rent of telephone for low calling subscribers in Delhi and Mumbai and for the safe custody of telephones from February 1, 2001;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) the revenue likely to be generated annually as a result thereof;
(d) whether the Government propose to review these orders of the MTNL to give relief to Low Calling subscribers ; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS ( SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR )
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Rental for urban low calling subscribers has been increased from Rs. 190/- per month to Rs. 250/- per month w.e.f.1.2.2001 and rental for safe custody of telephones has been reduced to 20% of rental for all slabs w.e.f. 1.2.2001.
(c) The rental have been increased alongwith the reduction in STD tariffs upto 200 Kms.
(d) The package is not likely to generate additional revenue.
(e) There is no such proposal for review at present, as the whole scheme has been announced as a package.