Communications Minister Arun Shourie on Wednesday said rentals for landlines have not been increased neither in rural nor in urban areas by BSNL and MTNL.

Shourie told the Parliament during Question Hour that the monthly rental for rural telephony continued to remain at Rs.50 though Trai had proposed that it be hiked to Rs.210.

While rates for long distance calls have been brought down, the minister said the fixed landline to landline call charges have not been changed and even pulse rates have not been altered.

The per call limit for landlines has been retained at three minutes, he said.

The final verdict of Trai on alternate packages would be delivered this week, he said observing government was conscious about its popular image.