Public Accounts Committee Urges Telecom Firms to Boost Rural Connectivity

Speedy Summary

• The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) voiced concerns over poor mobile network connectivity in rural adn border areas of India.
• Discussions included delays in payments by private telecom providers to the Telecommunications Department, flagged in an audit report.
• Airtel,Jio,Vodafone,and BSNL where directed to provide details on mobile tower installation efforts in rural,border,and hill districts.
• Connectivity issues were highlighted as particularly severe in northeastern States and Indo-Nepal border regions; some residents reportedly rely on Nepalese networks due to poor local options.
• Limited progress under Phase 2 of the National Broadband Mission was flagged; PAC asked for a detailed progress report from the Department of Telecommunication.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the PAC’s directives reflect growing concern about digital inclusivity in India. Rural areas and remote districts remain underserved despite ongoing initiatives like the National Broadband Mission. The reliance of villages near the Indo-Nepal border on foreign telecom networks underscores critical infrastructural gaps that could have broader security and socioeconomic implications.

The involvement of leading providers such as Airtel, Jio, Vodafone, and BSNL is essential for improving coverage-but delays highlighted by PAC may suggest challenges around funding or administrative coordination. For India’s aspiring digital expansion plans to succeed nationwide-especially with its focus on economic empowerment through connectivity-timely implementation with accountability seems key. Monitoring progress via audits can help ensure impact aligns with policy intentions.

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