Question : TELEPHONE SERVICE IN RURAL AREAS



(a) Whether most of the telephone exchanges and telephones in the rural areas/ villages are out of order for more than six months;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise

(c) whether the loss worth crores of rupees is being incurred as a result thereof;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken to make them operational;

(e) the details of the schemes prepared to check the telephones before installing and the reasons due to which these schemes could not be implemented so far; and

(f) whether several officers have been found guilty in this connection and if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) to (f) : The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.