55,000 villages in country do not have mobile connectivity, says government

At least 55,000 villages in the country do not have mobile connectivity and efforts are being made to provide it, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Minister of State for Communications Manoj Sinha, while replying to questions, said letters from the ministry have gone to all Chief Secretaries and Chief Ministers to provide a list of villages which don’t have mobile connectivity.

He said the government has drawn up its plan according to priorities and is already working on implementing its plans for ensuring coverage especially in hilly and Left-wing extremism-affected areas.

Congress member Renuka Chowdhury said mobile towers have been destroyed in maoist violence.

The minister sought details and promised to resolve any such issue.