Question : TELECOM FACILITIES IN BIHAR

(a) the number of telephone subscribers in Bihar, district-wise;

(b) the progress made with regard to laying telephone lines and setting up telecom centres in backward areas of Bihar;

(c) whether the Government propose to provide value added services such as cellular telephone and pager service in these areas;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government have formulated any special programme for improving telephone and STD services in the backward areas of Bihar;

(f) if so, the details thereof;
(g) whether telephone services in Shekhpura, Lakhisarai, Jamuai are unsatisfactory;
(h) if so, the reasons therefor ; and
(i) the steps taken by the Government to provide satisfactory telephone service?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS ( SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) The number of telephone subscribers in Bihar, district-wise are placed at Annexure-I.

(b) The details of cable laid and new telephone exchanges opened in backward areas of Bihar are placed at Annexure-II.

(c) & (d): There is no plan of BSNL to provide pager services in Bihar. In first phase, it is proposed to provide 35000 cellular telephones in Bihar, by BSNL.

(e) Yes, Sir.

(f) For improving STD services, 1100 kms OFC & 792 kms UHF/MW systems have already been commissioned.

(g) No, Sir.

(h) & (i): Not applicable in view of (g) above.


Annexure-I

S. No.	Name of District	No. of DELs As on 31.1.2001
1	BHOJPUR	12845
2	BUXAR	6397
3	BHAGALPUR	24505
4	BANKA	4728
5	SARAN	14339
6	GOPAL GANJ	6190
7	SIWAN	9814
8	DARBHANGA	22052
9	MADHUBANI	12783
10	SAMASTIPUR	13693
11	GAYA	20576
12	AURANGABAD	4819
13	JAHANABAD	3498
14	NAWADA	5167
15	VAISHALI	12950
16	KATIHAR	10823
17	KISHANGANJ	5081
18	ARARIA	5076
19	PURNEA	12855
20	KHAGARIA	6663
21	BEGUSARAI	12973
22	W. CHAMPARAN	11671
23	E. CHAMPARAN	19514
24	MUNGER	12541
25	LAKHISARAI	4718
26	SHEKHPURA	2025
27	JAMUI	4016
28	MUZAFFARPUR	29944
29	SITAMARHI	9027
30	SHEOHAR	1031
31	PATNA	131569
32	NALANDA	11502
33	SAHARSA	10204
34	MADHEPURA	5850
35	SUPAUL	5347
36	ROHTAS	12371
37	BHABHUA	4980
TOTAL	504137

Annexure-II

Progress of Cable Laying & Opening of New Rural Exchanges from 1.4.2000 to 31.1.2001
Sl.No.	SSA	Cable laid	(CKM) New Exch. Opened
1	ARRAH	60613	4
2	BHAGALPUR	51697	11
3	CHAPRA	36752	12
4	DARBHANGA	86899	22
5	GAYA	13701	14
6	HAJIPUR	117188	8
7	KHAGARIA	60942	6
8	KATIHAR	51676	10
9	MOTIHARI	71810	12
10	MUNGER	52177	10
11	MUZAFFARPUR	144983	15
12	PATNA	109857	9
13	SAHARSA	76051	7
14	SASARAM	84728	5	TOTAL	1019074	145