Minister for Post. Telecommunications. Housing and Works Mohammad Nasim yesterday told the Jatiya Sangsad that the government as per its policies had vested the responsibility of expanding telecommunications system up to the thana level in the private sector. reports BSS.

Replying to a question from Md Dablrul Islam of Awami League from Thakurgaon. he said BRTA, a private sector company, had been entrusted with the responsibility of installing digital telephone exchange in all thanas except the sadar thana in Thakurgaon dis-

trict. As this company has failed to do so within the stipulated time, the government is contemplating installation of digital telephone exchanges through the T and T Board in these thanas of the district." he told the Treasury Bench member.

On a supplementary from Zainal Abedin Faruque of BNP from Noakhali the minister said the existing age-old system in the telecommunication network could not be changed overnight although the government was thinking about its modernisation because of widespread demand for telephones in the country.

On other supplementaries from AlhaJ Tajul Islam Chowdhury of JP from Kuri-gram. Shaikh Razzak Ali of BNP from Khulna and Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed of Awami League from Moul-vibazar, Mohammad Nasim said all problems in their respective areas would be solved in phases and digital system would be Installed in the deserving areas as per the rules and regulations.

Replying to another question from Mirza Azam of Awami League from Jamalpur, Mohammad Nasim said three private companies — Adamjee Computers Ltd. IBCS Prlmax

Ltd and Lithi Enterprise — were preparing telephone bills through computer during the last 10 years.

He said Adamjee Computers Ltd prepared telephone bills from 1988 to March. 1992, IBCS Primax Ltd from April 1992 to December 1997 and Lithi Enterprise from January 1998 to date.

Adamjee Computer got Taka 5.40 for preparation of each bill while IBCS Prlmax got Taka 4.50 and Lithi Enterprise Taka 5.48. the minister said.

A UNB report adds: Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday said the performance of the SEBA Telecom and BRTA to bring the district and thana telephone exchanges under digital network was not satisfactory.

Replying to Dabirul Islam (AU the minister said the government has decided that T&T Board will undertake the project and would soon transform the exchanges into digital.

Responding to Sharif Khas-ruzzaman (ALJ he assured Parliament that the implementation of the project for setting up digital exchanges would be completed by the year 2000 depending on the availability of fund.