The government on Wednesday said it has set up dedicated Central Bureau of Investigation cells in four metros for detecting and checking telecom related frauds.
In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Communications and IT, Shakeel Ahmad said 257 cases of illegal telephone exchanges till date had come to light.
The minister also informed that MTNL's wholly-owned subsidiary Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Ltd will roll out its services in a phased manner from middle of this year.
MTNL was registered in Mauritius in 2003 to provide basic and mobile services and has authorised capital of Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) and paid up capital of Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million).
The number of phones increased at a rate of 28.6 per cent in the last three years. Regarding license fees, the minister highlighted that cellular operators owe about Rs 7.04 crore (Rs 70.4 million) to the government.
The cellular operators include BPL Mobile Communication, Hutchison Essar Telecom, Hutchison Essar South and Fascel Ltd.
The government also proposes to set up Software Technology Parks during the 10th Plan period at Patna, Goa, Bhopal, Gwalior, Shillong, Agra, Pantnagar, Jodhpur, Jammu, Haldia and Siliguri.
