Question : RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN UTTARANCHAL

(a) the number of villages in Pauri, Chamoli and Rudrapryag districts of Uttaranchal, which have been provided telephone facilities so far;

(b) the number of villages in these districts which are yet to be provided such facilities separately, district-wise;

(c) the total funds required for the purpose in these districts;

(d) whether due to shortage of electricity to energise telephone exchanges in these districts which are not functioning properly;

(e) if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government in this reard;

(f) whether any time frame has been fixed for providing telephone facility in these district; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) to (c) A statement indicating the number of villages in Pauri, Chamoli and Rudrapryag districts of Uttranchal which have been provided with telephone facilities and number of eligible villages which are yet to be provided with such facilities is given below:

Sl.No.	Name of District	No. of villages	No. of eligible	with VPT facility	villages without	VPT facility
1.	Pauri	2,215	1,063
2.	Chamoli	638	512
3.	Rudrapryag	349	80	Total	3,202	1,655