(a) whether the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has named 11
private telecom companies for non-payment of various dues to the government
and asked the DoT to investigate the matter;
(b) the outcome of the investigation made in the matter; and
(c) the details of action taken by the government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) On a review of the case, it transpires that different instructions
issued by the Telecom Directorate to field units covering recoveries, such
as rent from leased circuits, interconnection charges etc. from operators of
cellular and paging services, had not been adequately assimilated as the
interface with the private sector in these areas is of comparatively recent
origin. The fact that these instructions were to reach as many as 324 field
units spread all over the country may also have resulted in some instances
of relevant instructions not being connected. These factors resulted in
delayed billing for dierent periods from January 1997 onwards.
(c) C&AG pointed out short-billing of charges from 11 private telecom
companies in 6 Telecom Circles for different periods from January 1997
onwards, amounting to Rs.122.92 lakhs. The Department has since issued
bills worth Rs.129.29 lakhs after a case-by-case investigation , and
recovered Rs.103.41 lakhs till date. The matter is being pursued for
further recovery.