The Government said today that over five thousand crore rupees have been sanctioned for setting up of about two thousand Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in north-eastern states to strengthen telecommunication services in the region.

Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, IT and Communication Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said over 7500 new mobile towers will also be set up in hilly areas. He said the Government has taken several measures to strengthen state-owned telecommunication companies, BSNL and MTNL. He said both the companies have not been received institutional support from the government during last ten years.

He said officials have been directed to take assistance from Gram Panchayats in hilly areas for establishing mobile towers within stipulated time.

The Minister also informed that 500 mobile towers will also be set up in Bihar. Replying to another question, the Minister said instructions have been
issued to all mobile service providers for strict scrutiny of SIM distribution in bordering and trouble-hit areas.

He said a fine of over two thousand nine hundred crore rupees has been imposed against different mobile service providers for violating norms and of this, 732 crore rupees have been collected.