(a) whether the telephone lines in tribal and hilly areas of Maharshtra particularly in Nasik
district are not satisfactory;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to start any special project or scheme to strengthen
the existing telecommunication systems in those areas;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) & (b) The details of complaints, fault rate and fault repair time is respect of tribal and hilly
areas in Peth, Surgana, Kalwan, Dindori, Trimbak and Igatpuri Tallukas of Nasik Secondary Switching Areas
(SSA) are given in the Annexure. Continuous efforts are being made to improve the services further.
(c) & (d) Under Bharat Nirman Scheme, Government is providing support for installation of Village
Public Telephones (VPTs) in all the villages including tribal villages, which have more than 100 population
and do not lie in naxalite infested areas etc. These VPTs are likely to provided in a phased manner by November
2007. In Maharashtra there were 6,441 eligible villages to be covered under this scheme. Out of these villages,
VPTs have already been provided in 3,509 villages by September 2006 and remaining 2,932 villages will be provided
with VPTs progressively by November 2007.
(e) Does not arise in view of (c) & (d) above.
ANNEXURE
Details of complaints, fault rate and fault repair time in respect of tribal and hilly areas in Nasik SSA
Place August September October 2006 2006 2006
Comp/100 Dindori, Kalwan, 6.20% 5.94% 5.45 % Subs/month Peinth, Surgana Igatpuri/Trimbak 9.43% 8.99% 8.99%
Fault/100 Dindori, Kalwan, 5.72% 5.6% 5.21% Subs/month Peinth, Surgana Igatpuri/Trimbak 8.44% 7.79% 7.33%
Fault Repair Dindori, Kalwan, 5.72 Hrs 5.6 Hrs 5.21 Hrs Time Peinth, Surgana Igatpuri/Trimbak 8.44 Hrs 7.79 Hrs 7.33 Hrs