Question : TELEPHONE CONNECTION IN BIHAR AND JHARKHAND

(a) the existing norms for providing/registration of telephone connection in block, sub-division and district level of Bihar and Jharkhand State;

(b) whether there is any provision to provide speedy telephone connection in Bihar and Jharkhand State;

(c) whether it is a fact that the criteria for providing telephone is not adequate in these States and telephone consumer are providing telephone connection after more than a year;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action taken by the Government to provide early telephone connection in these State block sub division and district level?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ( SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR )

(a) to (d): As per the present policy telephone connections are provided on seniority basis in the waiting list under various categories subject to feasibility. Tatkal and OYT schemes are available for provision of speedy telephone connections. The delay occurs on account of paucity of exchange capacity and external plant capacity. A total of 7125 applications in Bihar and 1613 in Jharkhand are pending for more than one year due to technical not-feasibility.

(e) It has been planned to augment capacity of telephone exchanges and external plants as also to introduce the wireless in local loop (WLL) technology in non-feasible areas.