(a) whether there has been poor quality of Telecom, Post and Telegraph services in Maharashtra
particularly in hilly and rural areas;
(b) if so, the reasons therefore; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the said services?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)
(a) to (c) No, Sir. Quality of Telecom, Posts and Telegraph services in Maharashtra Circle
is of adequate standard. However, to further improve these services in Maharashtra Circle,
Department of Telecom and Department of Posts are taking following steps:-
Department of Telecom
(i) To increase the wireless communication in uncovered rural and remote areas, 964 shareable
infrastructure sites are being setup in Maharashtra through subsidy support from Universal Service
Obligation Fund (USOF) (Phase-I). As on 31.05.2009, 809 towers in Maharashtra have already been
set up under this scheme. In addition, a scheme for setting up of 834 additional towers in
uncovered areas in the State of Maharashtra is likely to be launched shortly.
(ii) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is also taking steps towards technological upgradation of
exchanges by converting C-DOT RAXs t AN-RAXs and Single Based Modules (SBMs) to Remote Subscribers
Units (RSUs) for improving the quality of service. Besides, Multi-Access Radio Relay (MARR),
Village Public Telephones (VPTs) have been replaced by reliable technology for better
connectivity.
Department of Posts
As on 31.3.2008, there are 11,311 post offices serving the rural populace of Maharashtra.Average
area served per post office in Maharashtra is 24.42 sq. kms against the all India average of
21.12 sq. kms. Besides, there are 518 Panchayat Sanchar Seva Kendras (PSSKs) providing basic
postal facilities in rural areas of Maharashtra Circle.
Details of postal facilities provided in rural and hilly areas are as follows:-
(i) All traditional postal facilities like booking/delivery of letter/parcel mail, registered,
insured postal articles, money orders and small savings schemes.
(ii) Speed Post facility (from select Post Offices).
(iii) Payment of wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme NREGS through Post
Office Savings Bank (POSB) accounts.