Lok Sabha Question No. 3226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Telecom and Postal Services in Backward Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3226 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND   MARCH, 2017

## TELECOM AND POSTAL SERVICES IN BACKWARD AREAS

- † 3226. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the telecommunication and postal services provided in the country particularly in backward and rural areas are insufficient;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to improve telecommunication and postal services in the country particularly in backward and rural areas;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  these  services  in  each  village  of  the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (f) the time by which these services are likely to be provided in the said areas?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) As  per  a  survey  conducted  in  2014,  5,41,939  villages  out  of  total    5,97,608 villages in the country are already covered with mobile services, leaving only 55,669 villages, i.e., 9.31%, without mobile coverage. Department of Posts is providing postal services in all areas of the country including backward and rural areas at affordable rates. Counter services are  provided  through  a  network  of  1,54,910  Post  Offices  (as  on  31.03.2016)  which  is  the largest  network in  the  world.  Postal  services  of  regular  delivery  and  collection  of  mail  and sale of stamps and stationery are provided in all areas. Sale of stamps and stationery is also being  offered  through  Franchise  Outlets  (FOs)  and  Panchayat  Sanchar  Sewa  Kendras (PSSKs).

(c) to (f) The Government has proposed/planned various projects with financial support from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to ensure mobile telecommunication service to the uncovered villages of the county. Mobile coverage to the uncovered villages is likely to be provided in a phased manner, subject to availability of financial resources. Government has prioritized to provide mobile communication services in uncovered villages in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, North-Eastern States, Islands, and Himalayan States in the first  phase.  Action  taken  by  the  Government  for  expansion  of  telecom  infrastructure  is  as below:

- (i) On 10.09.2014, the Government approved a proposal to implement a Comprehensive  Telecom  Development  Plan  for  the  North-Eastern  Region  (NER). The  Project  envisages  providing  mobile  coverage  to  8621  identified  uncovered villages by installation of about 6673 mobile towers, installation of 321 mobile tower sites along National Highways and strengthening of transmission network in the NER. The estimated cost of implementation is Rs. 5336.18 crore.  The Project would be funded from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and would be completed by December, 2018.
- (ii) 2199 mobile towers are being set up in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected States with  a  total  estimated  cost  of  Rs.3567.58  crore.  2187  mobile  towers  have  already become operational as on 28.02.2017.
- (iii) Telecom Commission has given approval for Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan  including  provision  of  mobile  connectivity  for  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands  and Lakshadweep Islands with a total estimated investment of Rs. 435.87 crore.

Expansion of postal network in the country, particularly backward and rural areas, by opening  of  new  post  offices  or  relocation  and  redeployment  is  an  on-going  activity under  the  Plan  Scheme  -  'Rural  Business  &  Access  to  Postal  Network'  subject  to fulfilment  of  prescribed  distance,  population  and  income  norms  and  availability  of funds  and  manpower.  Department  of  Posts  planned  to  open  400  new  Branch  Post Offices (BOs) in rural and backward areas by redeployment & relocation during 12th Plan Period to increase access of postal services. Out of this, 344 BOs have already been  opened  during  the  financial  years  2012-13  to  2015-16.   Further  under  Rural Information  and  Communication  Technology  (RICT)  Project  of  the  Department  of Posts, Hand Held Devices are being provided to the Branch Post Offices in rural & backward areas in a phased manner to improve the operational/ functional efficiency of the BOs. The opening of a new post office in any village is subject to fulfilment of prescribed norms, availability of funds and manpower.

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