(a) the quantity of Optical Fibre Cables(OFC) required in West Bengal and the present supply thereof;
(b) whether there is a long gap between demand and supply of OFC in the State; and
(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to augment the supply of cables at the earliest?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) The quantity of Optical Fibre Cable required during 2000-2001 in West Bengal is 2040 km and quantity received so far is 538 Km.
(b) There is delay in supply of balance quantity of Optical Fibre Cable due to non-acceptance of tendered prices by vendors against 12 Fibre and 24 Fibre cables.
(c) A short notice limited tender has again been called for procurement of balance quantities which will be finalized shortly.