(a) the number of villages in Haryana and Bhavnagar and Botad districts of Gujarat where Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network is still not available;
(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to bring network coverage to the said areas; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS,
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) to (c) Number of villages uncovered by mobile network of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Haryana and Bhavnagar and Botad districts of Gujarat is as under:
<pre>
S.No. State/District Number of uncovered villages
1. Haryana State 2370
2. Bhavnagar District, Gujarat 19
3 Botad District, Gujarat 4
</pre>
However, as per the data collected from the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) field units in 2019, only one (1) village in the State of Haryana and 13 villages in the Bhavnagar District, Gujarat are uncovered by mobile network. All villages in Botad District, Gujarat are covered by mobile network.
Mobile coverage in the uncovered villages in the country is being provided by the Government and the TSPs in a phased manner. 70 uncovered villages in Gujarat State are targeted to be covered with mobile network under 354 uncovered villages scheme funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund ( USOF).
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