(a) the district-wise number of telephone connections
allotted in Jharkhand during the last two years and as on
date;
(b) the number of telephone connections lying out of order in
the State at present;
(c) whether rural telephone system has collapsed in various
districts of the State;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a) the district-wise number of telephone connections allotted in Jharkhand during the last two years are given in the Annexure.
(b) At present, 2166 numbers of telephone connections are lying out of order in the state.
(c) & (d) No, Sir. However, sometimes telecom services are adversely affected in the rural areas due to non availability of power.
(e) Following steps are being taken to improve the quality of telecom services in rural areas:
1. Progressively, MARR(Multi Access Rural Radio) VPTs (Village Public Telephones) are being replaced by the WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) VPTs.
2. Adequate alternative source of power like generators and stand by batteries have been provided.
3. All the rural exchanges are being connected by reliable and high bandwidth Optical Fiber transmission system.
4. New services like WLL phone, Cellular Mobile Phone and Internet are being provided in the rural areas.
ANNEXURE
District wise telephone connections allotted (opened) during last two years, and Status of telephones as on 31-03-2003 in the Jharkhand Telecom Circle.
Name of Telephone Connections Status as on District allotted (opened) 31-03-2003
2001-2002 2002-2003
Dhanbad 8653 8747 57002 Bokaro 8064 6031 42885 West 1853 1466 15386 Singhbhum East 8597 5670 79732 Singhbhum Saraikela 2947 1762 11662 Hazaribagh 5598 2355 33217 Giridih 5695 2395 11005 Chatra 203 85 2547 Koderma 1765 743 6780 Dumka 731 1157 7259 Deoghar 4171 999 12139 Godda 1208 942 4898 Sahibganj 992 744 5816 Pakur 403 698 3985 Jamtara 607 497 2564 Latehar 550 347 2658 Garhwa 1134 591 4138 Palamu 3001 1427 13388 Ranchi 11449 9036 89365 Gumla 508 575 3169 Lohardaga 340 400 3817 Simdega 193 86 1770