(a) whether the Government proposes to provide mobile service in naxalite infested area of Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the time by which the above service is likely to be provided; and
(c) if not, the steps being taken by the Government to provide other connectivity service in the above area?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) to (c) Department of Telecommunications as a licensor has granted licences to Public Sector Undertaking namely. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and various other private operators to provide mobile services in the State of Maharashtra. They have already provided cellular mobile coverage in all the District headquarters and further planned to extend the mobile services up to Tehsil headquarters.