(a) whether the number of telephone exchanges in rural areas of Mandvi, Brauch and Banaskantha regions of Gujarat, Baramulla region of Jammu and Kashmir, Bettiah region of Bihar and Kheri (Lakhimpur) region of U.P. are less than requirement;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) the number of persons on the waiting list for telephone connections in these regions as on October 31, 2000; and
(d) the time by which the waiting list is likely to be cleared?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS(SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) to (d): The information is contained in the Annexure.
ANNEXURE
S. No. Region Whether the number of telephone exchanges in the rural areas of the region is less than requirement If so, steps taken by the Government in this regard Number of persons in the waiting list in the region as on October 31, 2000 The time by which the waiting list is likely to be cleared
1 a) Mandvi b) Bharuch c) Banaskantha of Gujarat Yes, Sir Yes, Sir. Yes, Sir. New exchanges/ Expansions have been planned as per requirement 5960 5214 7739 July, 2001 July, 2001 July, 2001 2 Baramulla of J&K Yes, Sir -do- 4630 July, 2001 3 Bettiah of Bihar These are as per requirement Does not arise 680 March, 2001 4 Kheri (Lakhimpur) of UP Yes, Sir. New exchanges/ expansions have been planned as per requirement 3703 March, 2002