(a) Whether the tribal areas are still far behind in terms of communication facilities;
(b) If so, the reasons therefor;
(c) Whether the Government has formulated any action plan for tribal areas of
the country specially in Madhya Pradesh;
(d) If so, the details thereof; and
(e) The time by which the action plan is likely to be implemented?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) Yes, Sir. Tribal areas are to some extent lagging behind in terms of
telecommunication facilities.
(b) Most of Tribal inhabitations are in remote, scattered and far flung areas.
Hence, for techno-economic reasons, provision of telephone connections in
these areas is difficult and slow.
(c) & (d) Under Bharat Nirman Programme, 66,822 remaining eligible unconnected
villages of the country including villages in tribal areas are to be provided Village
Public Telephones (VPTs ) in a time bound manner. This excludes villages having
less than 100 population, lying in naxalite infested areas etc.
In Madhya Pradesh 11,894 eligible unconnected villages including villages in tribal
areas are to be provided VPTs under Bharat Nirman Scheme. 8, 293 such villages of
Madhya Pradesh have been provided with VPTs as on 30.06.2006.
(e) Remaining eligible unconnected villages of the country including villages in tribal
areas of Madhya Pradesh will be provided VPTs by November, 2007.