The Hindu Business Line : Public telephones

This refers to the extension of the target date for the provision of village public telephones (VPTS) by private telecommunication operators by one more year. This shows that neither the Government nor the private operators are serious about installing the VPTS.

It is sad that only 4,252 VPTS have been provided so far, against a commitment of 97,806 by as many as six private telecommunication operators during the last six to seven years. Private telecom operators also want construction charges for providing village public telephones. About 2.1 lakh villages out of 6.3 lakh villages in the country still do not have telephones. At this rate, it will be a long time before the whole of India is connected through them.

However, the telecommunication infrastructure in cities and towns is improving. The tele-density has to be increased quickly to make India on a par with other countries, such as China, and attract more foreign direct investment.

This can only happen when the Centre makes private telecom operators stick to their commitments. Further, subsidy should be given to operators of rural telephone systems only after they provide their figures.

Nirmala Chowdary

Hyderabad

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