Lok Sabha Question No. 5189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-24
Subject: Mobile Network in Ladakh Region
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5189 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH   JULY, 2019

## MOBILE NETWORK IN LADAKH REGION

## 5189. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  improve  the  existing  mobile  networks  in  Ladakh region and for installation of new Mobile Towers in the far-flung villages and hamlets of the said region;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Ministry has sanctioned/released any funds for augmentation of mobile/telephone network in the aforesaid region out of Universal Service Obligation Fund in the last five years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) Yes Sir.
- (b) Total 125 number of Mobile Towers in Ladakh region (Kargil-72 & Leh-53) are provisioned under the USOF Scheme for providing connectivity to the 361 villages of uncovered areas of Ladakh & Kargil (J&K region), Border area and other priority areas.
- (c) &  (d):  The  details  of  funds  sanctioned/released  for  augmentation  of  mobile/  telephone network  in  Ladakh  region  in  the  last  five  years  from  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund  is  given below:

| Funds sanctioned/released in Ladakh during last five years from USO Fund   | Funds sanctioned/released in Ladakh during last five years from USO Fund   | Funds sanctioned/released in Ladakh during last five years from USO Fund   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.                                                                    | Financial Year                                                             | Amount in Rs. (VPTs/ DSPTs)                                                |
| 1.                                                                         | 2014-15                                                                    | Nil                                                                        |
| 2.                                                                         | 2015-16                                                                    | Nil                                                                        |
| 3.                                                                         | 2016-17                                                                    | 9,14,500                                                                   |
| 4.                                                                         | 2017-18                                                                    | 1,34,125                                                                   |
| 5.                                                                         | 2018-19                                                                    | 1,54,654                                                                   |

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