Question : EXPANSION OF POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES

(a) the details of the programmes drawn up for the expansion of postal and telecommunication facilities in the rural areas of the country during the Ninth Fiver Year Plan period; and

(b) the progress made so far in this regard ?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) The details of the post offices opened in Rural areas in first three years of 9th Five Year Plan, and proposed to be opened for remaining two years of the Plan and details for the 9th Plan of Department of Telecom Services are given in Annexure -I

(b) The information in respect of Post Offices actually opened in first three years of the 9th Five Year Plan and that of Department of Telecom Services is given in Annexure-II.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 12 FOR 24TH JULY, 2000 REGARDING EXPANSION OF POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES.

ANNEXURE-I

(A) Targets for opening of Post Offices and PSSKs during the 9th Five Year Plan

Year	No. of Branch Post Offices	No. of Panchayat Sanchar Sewa Kendras
1997-98	500	Nil
1998-99	598	200
1999-2000	500	500
2000-2001	500	1000
2001-2002	500	1000

(B) The Ninth Five Year Plan of DTS envisages:

(i) To provide telephone on demand all over the country including rural areas by 31.3.2002 with private sector complementing the efforts of the Government.

(ii) To provide telephone facility in all villages by 31.3.2002 with the private sector complementing the efforts of Government.

(iii) To provide STD facility to all the exchanges by the year 2000.

(iv) To provide reliable media to all exchanges.

ANNEXURE-II

(A) Post Offices and PSSKs opened in rural areas during 9th Five Year Plan.

Year	No. of Branch Post Offices	No. of Panchayat Sanchar Sewa Kendras	1997-98	401	1	1998-99	598	224	1999-2000	385	486

(B)

(i) During the first three years of Ninth Five Year Plan 25.18 lakh new telephone Connections were provided in the rural areas of the country.

(ii) 3.76 lakh villages were provided telephone facility by 30.6.2000. The remaining villages will be covered progressively by the end of the Ninth Five Year Plan with the private operators complementing the efforts of the Government.

(iii) STD facility has already been provided in 24,211 exchanges out of a total of 27, 730 Exchanges.

(iv) 17, 244 Exchanges have reliable media already. Remaining Exchanges will be provided reliable media progressively by the end of the Ninth Five Year Plan.

Question : EXPANSION OF POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES

Answer given by the minister

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