Question : NTP-2012

(a) the details of the objectives and vision of the National Telecom Policy, 2012 (NTP) along with the extent to which such objectives have been achieved by the Government so far;

(b) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilised under the NTP since inception;

(c) whether the Government has received complaints of irregularities/corruption/diversion of funds in the implementation of the policy since inception and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/being taken by the Government on such complaints;

(d) whether the Government is aware that the tele-density of some of the States is below the National average in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring the tele-density of such States at par with the National average and achievements derived therefrom so far; and

(e) the number of villages that have been connected with telecom network since inception of the policy across the country, State/UT-wise?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b) The vision of the National Telecom Policy, 2012 (NTP-12) is to provide secure, reliable, affordable and high quality converged telecommunication services anytime, anywhere for an accelerated inclusive socio-economic development. The major objectives of NTP-12 include, among other things, provision of broadband and mobile services primarily in rural and remote areas, which are being achieved by pursuing general policy initiative and undertaking various projects like setting up of mobile towers in Left Wing Affected States and North Eastern States, National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) etc.
The funds allocated and utilised for such purposes by Universal Service Obligation Fund(USOF) as on 29.2.2016 are as under:
(Amount in crores)
<pre>
Financial year Funds Allocated/Released/Utilised
2012-13 625.00
2013-14 2163.45
2014-15 2086.98
2015-16 2170.84

</pre>
(c)
1. Complaint dated 11.07.2013 from Shri Sita Ram Sharma:-
The complaint regarding alleged procedural and financial irregularities in Rural Telephone Connections is already subject matter of investigation by Vigilance wing of DoT.

2. Complaint dated 22.07.2013 from Shri Anil Singh Shekhawat:-
The complaint was received in respect of Rural Telephone Connections provided in rural areas. However, the complaint was withdrawn by the complainant vide his letter dated 04.12.2013.

3. Complaint from Shri Dinesh Hissaria, Advocate Rajasthan High Court received in Secretary Office on 14.11.2013:-
The complaint regarding alleged misappropriation of USO Fund has already been replied vide this office letter dated 27.01.2014.

(d) The details of overall tele-density, Service area wise as on 31.1.2016 is at Annexure. SAs of Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, North-east, West Bengal and J&K have tele-density below the national level. The variation in tele-density is primarily due to difference in purchasing power parity of the consumers.

Various schemes are being implemented/planned with financial support from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for improvement of mobile and internet services in rural and remote areas. Details of such schemes are as below:

(i) 7,317 Mobile towers have been installed with the financial support from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Shared Mobile Infrastructure Scheme in villages or cluster of villages having population of 2000 or more and not having mobile coverage.

(ii) 2199 mobile towers are being set up in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected States with a total estimated cost of Rs.3567.58 crore.

(iii) The Project “Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for the North-Eastern Region (NER)” envisages to provide mobile coverage to 8621 identified uncovered villages by installation of about 6673 mobile towers, installation of 321 mobile tower sites along National Highways and strengthening of transmission network in the NER at an estimated cost of 5336.18 crores.
(iv) Mobile coverage to 55, 669 uncovered villages has been planned to be provided in a phased manner, subject to availability of financial resources. Provision of mobile coverage to Himalayan States, Border States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli has been planned.

(v) As on 31.01.2015, a total of 6,56,345 broadband connections have been provided and 15,671 kiosks have been set up in rural and remote areas under the Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme.

(vi) BharatNet / National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) is planned to connect all the 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats in the country through optical fibre utilizing existing fibers of PSUs viz. BSNL, RailTel and Power Grid (and of any desirous private operator) and laying incremental fibre wherever necessary for providing Broadband connectivity. Under this project, upto 06.03.2016, 1,26,799 km of pipes and 98,901 km of optical fibre cables have been laid. Further, number of Gram Panchayats where OFC has been laid is 42,110.

(vii) USOF schemes for creation of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) Infrastructure in North-East are being implemented to provide sufficient back-haul capacity to integrate the voice and data traffic from the access network in the rural areas to their core network by strengthening the Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) infrastructure to provide for OFC network augmentation between the blocks'' HQ and Districts'' HQ in North-East.
(e) The number of villages that have been connected with telecom network since inception of the policy is not available.