Boosting Connectivity: Telecom Expansion in PVTG, Rural & Remote Areas

The Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today informed the Rajya Sabha that under a survey conducted by the Department of Telecommunications, a total of 2,595 PVTG villages across India have been identified for enhanced telecom connectivity, with 1,716 new towers set to be installed in these areas. These efforts, he said, are aimed at improving access to mobile services in rural, remote, and hilly regions, with particular focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), tribal habitations, and even smaller settlements like tolas and majiras.

The survey, conducted following a request by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in July 2024, identified these villages as areas in dire need of mobile tower installations. This will cover 15 states and include various schemes to ensure widespread coverage.

Addressing a starred question in the Rajya Sabha on telecom connectivity in PVTG habitations, Shri Scindia highlighted the swift progress made so far, revealing that out of the 2,595 identified villages, 901 villages have already been covered with mobile for which than 519 of the 1,716 towers have been set up within a record time of just six months, marking a 35% completion rate in the project.

The Union Cabinet in Nov 2023 has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with outlay of Rs.24,104 Crore to saturate PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Under PM JANMAN, provision of mobile coverage to PVTG villages/ habitations by DoT through DBN funded schemes has been included. MoTA shared a list of villages/ habitations, uncovered with mobile services, with DoT.

Elaborating the special projects for strengthening mobile connectivity in PVTG habitations and rural areas in Jharkhand, the Union Minister informed that a total of 1,987 towers have been identified for 2471 Habitations. He reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to the holistic development of tribal and left-wing affected areas, emphasizing that initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana are designed to improve connectivity and overall development in rural tribal-dominated areas.

Shri Scindia reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government remains committed to ensuring the holistic development of tribal and remote areas, with telecommunication infrastructure being a key part of this larger developmental vision.

Additionally, the Union Minister also tabled a written reply regarding Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funds. Following specific schemes provide mobile connectivity to the uncovered villages of rural, remote, hilly &Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas of the country.

Annexure

(Annexure refers to parts of the Starred question in Rajya Sabha whether the Government is running any special scheme for installation of mobile towers to promote telecom connectivity in rural, remote and hilly areas of the country including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations; and whether any special project has been identified for strengthening mobile connectivity in PVTG habitations and rural areas in Jharkhand and in other States.)