Question : TELECOMMUNICATION SCHEME FOR RURAL AREAS



(a) whether Government propose to formulate any specific scheme to bring about revolution in the field of telecommunications for far flung areas/villages of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 444 FOR 24TH APRIL, 2002 REGARDING TELECOMMUNICATION SCHEME FOR RURAL AREAS.


Under the new telecom policy 1999, government is committed to cover all villages with telephone facility by the end of year 2002. Special emphasis has also been laid on the coverage of rural areas with the objective of raising the tele-density to 4% by the year 2010. In addition, there is also a programme to cover all block headquarters with Internet Dhabas. These schemes are being vigorously followed and technologies such as Wireless in Local Loop(WLL) and satellite phones besides landlines are being used to cover villages, remote areas, rural areas etc. As of 1st April, 2002, 4,68,862 villages have been provided with phones and 3097 block headquarters have been provided with Internet Dhabas.