Question : IMPROPER PLANNING FOR PROCUREMENT OF TRANSMITTER AT BARMER

(a) whether procurement and installation of 10 Kilo Watt High Power Transmitter with a 300 meter high steel tower at Barmer, Rajasthan was sanctioned during 1985;

(b) if so, whether transmitter installed in February, 1993 became operative only on 1 KW capacity from March, 1997;

(c) if so, whether the work for erection of tower awarded to M/s Triveni Structural Limited during February, 1997 at a total cost of Rs.10.20 crores and scheduled to be completed by March, 1999 not even commenced;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government have taken note that 10 KWHPT installed at capital cost of Rs. 5.32 crores is being operated at one-tenth of its capacity and its coverage is less than half the area than that covered by 10 KWHPT; and

(f) if so, the officials responsible for improper planning for procurement of transmitter and erection of tower since transmitter`s capacity is neither being utilized optimally nor is the targetted coverage being delivered?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a): Scheme for setting up of 10KW HPT with 300M tower at Barmer was sanctioned in February, 1987.

(b), (c) & (d): The transmitter was installed in February, 1993 and commissioned with 1KW power, with temporary tower, in March, 1997 after the staff was sanctioned and deployed. Work of erection of 300M tower at Barmer was awarded to M/s. Triveni Structural Limited in February, 1997 at a cost of Rs. 11.55 crores. It was originally scheduled to be completed by March, 1999. Keeping in view the natural elevation of the site and marginal increase in resultant coverage owing to sparsely populated area, it was decided to reduce the height of the tower to 100M. Tenders for erection of 100M tower have been invited.

(e) Coverage range of the transmitter is presently about 60 Kms., which is expected to increase to about 110 Kms. on commissioning of the transmitter on full power of 10KW consequent on erection of 100M tall tower.

(f): Does not arise.