Question : INTERNET FACILITY IN VILLAGES



(a) whether the Government propose to link all the villages of the country with internet;

(b) if so, the time by which it will be linked; and

(c) the allocation of funds made for this purpose?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (TAPAN SIKADAR)

(a) to (c) National Telecom Policy, 1999 (NTP-99) had envisaged internet access to all District Headquarters by the year 2000 which was also achieved. Subsequently, a scheme was taken up to provide Internet Dhabas (kiosks) to all Block Headquarters. Access to Internet facility has been provided in 5625 Block Headquarters (both Rural & Urban) in the country as on 28.02.2002 by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL, through the scheme of Internet Dhabas set up through Franchisees, has provided Internet Dial-up connections to 3051 Internet Dhabas in both Rural and Urban Block Headquarters as of 28.2.2002.