(a) Whether the total rural Telecommunication system has collapsed dueto use of sub-standard materials under the MARR services ;
(b) if so, the numberof Telehones under MARR system functioning and out of order at present in the West Bengal particulrly in Japlaiguri and Coochbehar districts, exchange-wise; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to restore the system ?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS(SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) No sir.
(b) Does not arise in view of (a).
16 out of 262 telephones (6.1%) under MARR System in Coochbehar and 57 out of 529 telephones (10.7%) under MARR system in Jalpaiguri and 8876 out of 11713 telephones (7.6%) under MARR system in the State of West Bengal are out of order at present.
(c) Annual maintenance contract has been made with the supplier companies and a circle repairing Centre is functioning since June,1998 for quick restoration of faulty system.