Question : PRINTING OF TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES



(a) whether the Government is aware that the MTNL at Delhi and Mumbai has not published telephone directories for more than four years;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) Yes, Sir, the Government is aware that Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) at Delhi and Mumbai has not published telephone directories for more than four years, as the last telephone directory was printed in 1999.

(b) The Tender Procedure for printing of new telephone directories was initiated by MTNL at Delhi and Mumbai in the year 2004. However, due to change in the guidelines for printing of telephone directories, the tender was cancelled.

(c) MTNL, Mumbai has already floated a fresh tender for printing of new telephone directories. The evaluation of tender is under progress.

In MTNL, Delhi, the mater is sub-judice as the Honb`ble High Court of Delhi has restrained MTNL, Delhi from issuing fresh tender notice for directory printing.

It may be mentioned that directory services in MTNL are also available on Website through Internet, in the form of CD ROM and through toll-free directory service on 197.