(a) whether the MTNL has launched Jeevansathi mobile telephone scheme in four metros for the Central Government employees;
(b) if so, the total connections provided under this scheme;
(c) whether there was an overwhelming response to the scheme;
(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to extend or launch afresh scheme to cover more subscribers;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) Sir, MTNL has launched Jeevansathi mobile telephone scheme in Delhi and Mumbai for general public. The scheme was made available at concessional rate for Central Government employees for a limited period.
(b) The total number of connections provided under this scheme for Central Government employees is 1,20,054.
(c) Yes, Sir.
(d) to (f) The scheme continue to exist for general public. However, the facility of this scheme at concessional rate for Central Government employees in Delhi was available up to 10.04.2006 only. In Mumbai, this scheme has been made available at concessional rate for employees of Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) and MTNL up to 15.05.2006. There is no proposal to extended the scheme at concessional rate. However, Central Government employees can still avail the scheme at par with the general public.