(a) whether categorization of telephone exchanges into urban and rural exchanges was completed by BSNL throughout the country;
(b) if not, the States/UTs where categorization is yet to be completed;
(c) by when the categorization is likely to be completed;
(d) whether new rental and new call rates have been implemented retrospectively from May, 2002 in rural exchanges; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a)to(c): No, Sir. Presently, there is no policy to categorise the telephone exchanges into urban and rural exchanges. However, the subscribers are categorised as urban or rural subscribers based on urban or rural areas as per Census Report
(d) &(e): No, Sir. The rentals and call rates have been implemented for rural subscribers w.e.f. May, 2002. The details are given in the Annexure.
ANNEXURE
URBAN RURAL
1. Rental Charges (Monthly)
(Exchange systems capacity)#
(i) Exchange system capacity of less 1000 Lines. Rs. 120/- Rs. 50/-
(ii) Exchange system capacity of less 1000 Lines Rs. 120/- Rs. 110/- & above but below 30,000 Lines:
(iii) Exchange system capacity of 30,000 Lines Rs. 180/- Rs. 150/- and above but below 1,00,000 Lines:
(iv) Exchange system capacity of 1,00,000 Rs. 250/- Rs. 210/- Lines and above :
2. Call Charges and Free Calls (Monthly)
(i) Number of calls from 0 to 75 Free Free
(ii) Number of calls from 76 to 125 Rs. 0.80 Free
(iii) Number of calls from 126 to 200 Rs. 0.80 Rs. 0.60
(iv) Number of calls from 201 to 225 Rs. 1.00 Rs. 0.60
(v) Number of calls from 226 to 250 Rs. 1.00 Rs. 0.80
(vi) Number of calls from 251 to 500 Rs. 1.00 Rs. 1.00
(vii) Number of calls more than 500 Rs. 1.20 Rs. 1.20
# Exchange system capacity is the combined equipped capacity of all the exchanges of the SDCA in which the telephone is located except for the rural subscribers the relevant exchange system capacity is the one that exist prior to 15.8.1998 (i.e. before the local area became co-terminus with the Short Distance Charging Area (SDCA) for purpose of local calls alongwith augmentation thereafter).