Question : NON-COMPLETION OF TARGETED TRANSMITTERS

(a) whether it is a fact that 161 projects targeted for completion during 2001-2002 only 124 projects could be completed during the year;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether 7 DD1 HPT and 12 LPT/VLPT could not be completed due to non-availability of sites;

(d) if so, whether sites are chosen after sanctioning of project or before sanctioning of project;

(e) whether the Government have completed these projects during 2002-03;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(h) the steps taken or being taken by Government to ensure that projects targeted for a particular year are completed in the same year?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b): Completion of 37 projects got delayed due to delay in construction of buildings and towers; non-availability of suitable sites; difficult working conditions in some areas; delay in supply of equipments and law and order problems in some areas.

(c): 7 DD1 HPT projects got delayed due to delay in construction of towers. 12 LPT/VLPT projects got delayed mainly due to non-availability of suitable sites.

(d): Action for identification of suitable sites is initiated after a project is approved `in principle` by the competent authority.

(e), (f) & (g): Out of the 37 projects, 26 projects have been completed during 2002-03. 4 LPT projects have been dropped as the targeted area is covered by nearby transmitters. One LPT project has been deferred, due to security reasons. The remaining 4 LPT/VLPT and 2 HPT projects are targeted for completion during 2003-04.

(h). The projects are being monitored regularly and appropriate measures are taken for timely completion of projects