(a) whether the Government propose to supply necessary equipments for setting up telephone exchanges in rural areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the time by which the said equipments are likely to be supplied;
(d) the number of villages in remote areas having tower telephone facility in the country; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to tone up the said facility in remote areas?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS ( SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has planned to set up Small and Medium capacity exchanges to provide telephone connections in rural areas. These exchanges are State of Art digital Electronic Exchanges based on C-DOT design. Transmission media of adequate capacity is also planned to provide reliable connectivity to the exchanges working in rural areas. The Department has taken all necessary action for supply of exchange equipments and other essential equipments such as power plant, battery, MDF and underground cable for successful installation in rural areas. The Government plans to install 3431 exchanges in rural areas in the current year with the switching capacities of 25.82 lakh lines to provide 14.2 lakh DELs (Direct Exchange Lines).
(c) The said equipments are likely to be supplied by March, 2001.
(d) The number of villages in remote areas having tower telephone facility in the country are 2,10,791 as on 31/1/2001.
(e) AMC has been awarded to firms. Task force teams and Flying squads have been set up at Circle levels for quick maintenance. Repair centers are being opened in strategic locations. Old and unserviceable MARR systems are planned to be replaced gradually.