(a) the number of village public telephones provided by the private operators during the last three years;
(b) whether private operators have paid the compensations to the Department for not honouring the commitment;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) As per information, a total of 607 Village Public Telephones (VPTs) have been provided by private operators of basic telephone service during the last three years.
(b) to (d): The Liquidated Damage (LD) charges have been recovered from them, as provided for in the licence agreement, for delay in fulfillment of the committed performance obligations in this respect. Further, they have also been asked to complete the unfulfilled committed roll out obligations by December, 2002 for which submission of additional Performance Bank Guarantees and Deed of Guarantees have been demanded.