New Delhi: "Stern" steps against private telecom companies are on the cards as the government reasserted its intent to seriously address the menace of call drops in Rajya Sabha today.
Private telecom companies are increasing their customers but not improving services which are "very bad", Communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in Rajya Sabha today.
The minister said that private telecom companies have been asked to improve the infrastructure and the government is monitoring it.
The issue was raised by Naresh Agrawal of the Samajwadi Party during Zero Hour.
"I understand the concern raised by the member on the issue and Parliament's concern. I and my government have taken this issue very seriously...I am concerned over the issue and we are rectifying it. For last two-three years, the issue was not taken seriously. I want to assure you that the effective steps taken now by me have never been taken earlier," said Prasad.
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"I am a strong minister and will take more stern steps to improve the services," he added.
Prasad said private telecom companies are increasing their customers but not improving services which are "very bad". He added that the chiefs of both Vodafone and Airtel have admitted to the problems and promised improvement.
Of the total 18 lakh mobile towers of private companies across the country, a survey has found 35,000 towers to be faulty, the Minister said further.
"While 20,000 such towers have been rectified, still 15,000 faulty towers are to be set right. My department is monitoring it and have been asking private companies for investing and improving the infrastructure," he said.
He said that it was due to the government's efforts and that the last three months alone saw private mobile companies instal 14,000 new towers.
In Delhi alone, 700 new mobile towers have come up. A new tower is being installed in the Parliament annexe and library building, he further informed.
Responding to the question of TRAI's decision to impose penalty on private companies for call dropping, the Minister said "As far as TRAI's decision is concerned, it will be implemented from January."
(With PTI inputs)
