(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `Telecom migration package comes under audit fire` appearing in the Times of India dated February 5, 2000;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein; and
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2633 FOR 13TH MARCH, 2000
REGARDING TELECOM MIGRATION PACKAGE
(a) Sir, a Draft Audit Para titled `Package of concessions to existing Cellular and Basic Telephone Service Operators` was received from Director General of Audit, Post and Telecommunications. On the subject, a news item titled `Telecom migration package comes under audit fire` appeared in `Times of India` dated 5.2.2000.
(b) & (c):
The Government have not accepted the observations made in the Draft Audit Para. A reply was sent to Audit indicating the Government`s view, inter-alia, that migration of the existing licensees to the New Telecom Policy-1999 regime of revenue sharing arrangement was a result of informed and institutionalized decision in best public interest making pragmatic adjustments warranted by ground realities in relation to the Telecom Industry.