(a) whether the Government have expressed its grave concern over the non achievement of target fixed for telephone connections in the rural areas;
(b) if so, the reasons for not achieving the target set, State-wise;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to achieve the target set therefor;
(d) whether the Government have set up village telephony cell; and
(e) if so, the objectives thereof?
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 352 FOR 17TH APRIL, 2002 REGARDING TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS IN RURAL AREAS.
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The Private Basic Telephone Service Operators have generally not extended their network to rural areas so far.
(c) Government has recovered Liquidated Damage(LD) charges for the delay in fulfilling the obligations and has made it clear to the concerned private operators that their committed performance obligations cannot be diluted. Government has also asked them to complete the unfulfilled committed roll out obligations by December, 2002 against submission of Additional Performance Bank Guarantees and Deed of Guarantees. Further, Government has advised them to explore the possibilities of entering into mutually acceptable agreements with any of the other operators in their respective service areas for providing Village Public Telephones.
(d) & (e): The Basic Service Group of the Department of Telecom, which has been monitoring this matter, is also facilitating expeditious resolution and redressal of issues that arise from time to time so as to ensure that the obligations are fulfilled.