Question : PRIVATE BASIC TELEPHONE OPERATORS

(a) whether Private Basic Telephone Operators are submitting their claims to the Government;

(b) if so, the names of the companies which have submitted such claims;

(c) whether these companies may siphon off the funds meant for rural telephones; and

(d) if so, the action proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) None of the Private Basic Telephone Operators have so far submitted any claims to the Government.

(b) to (d): Do not arise in view of (a) above.