Project report on Telecom Finance Corporation submitted to DoT

The final report for setting up of Telecom Finance Corporation has been submitted to the Telecom Department by the consulted appointed for preparing the Detailed Project Report, Lok Sabha was informed today.
"The Consultant so appointed has submitted its final report on October 28, 2016 and since then a 'consultancy monitoring committee' of Department of Telecom is examining this report," Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
The Telecom Commission in its meeting in July 2013 directed that in order to set up Telecom Finance Corporation a Detailed Project Report with a business plan should be brought before the commission for consideration.

"Accordingly, a tender enquiry was floated for appointment of consultant for preparation of detailed project report for setting up of Telecom Finance Corporation on December 9, 2013 which was cancelled on May 23, 2015 on technical grounds," he said adding thereafter a fresh tender was floated in July 2015 and subsequently contract was awarded for preparation of DPR.
On subsidy to BSNL, the Minister said that the Corporation has incurred a deficit of Rs 9942 crore, on account of rural wireline connections installed before April 2002. Of this, Rs 8692 crore has already been paid as a subsidy to the corporation from USO Fund and only Rs 1250 crore remains to be disbursed.

On September 2016, Cabinet approved subsidy support of Rs 1250 crore for the period July 2012 and July 2013 to BSNL from USO Fund as compensation for deficit incurred in operating rural wireline connections installed before April 2002.

"...As per Cabinet approval, no further request from BSNL for financial subsidy/support from USO Fund on this count shall be considered," the Telecom Minister said.
In a written reply to another question pertaining to Sukanya Samridhi Account Scheme under Department of Post, Sinha said that in a period of two years, the number of account opened under this scheme is 99.9 lakh and total collection is Rs 9283.8 crore.

On whether there has been any reports from states demanding a review of the guidelines and policies intended to be implemented through the said scheme, the Minister replied in negative.
On 5G Technology, the Minister said no timeframe has been prescribed for introduction of 5G technology in the country as the technology is still in the development stage and only limited trials have been conducted across the world on it.
On telecom infrastructure in Left Wing Extremist areas, he said as many as 2185 mobile towers have been made operational under the project to strengthen mobile network facility in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

"2199 mobile towers are being set up in LWE affected states with a total estimated cost of Rs 3567.5 crore," he said.