February 16, 2007	Friday	Muharram 27, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has given the February 28 deadline for submission of applications for setting up ‘Rabta Ghar’ (telecentres) in rural areas.

A Rabta Ghar will have PCO, internet, fax, printing and scanning facilities under one roof.

Under the scheme, 400 telecentres will be set up in the first phase for which equipment worth Rs50,000 each will be provided free of cost to unemployed individuals with at least intermediate qualification.

The candidates will have to arrange a shop or room of 10x12 ft (minimum) size on their own.

Rabta Ghar operators will be employed from villages with population between 4,000 and 10,000 with no telecentre and netcafe facility in the radius of 5km.

In case of Balochistan applications can also be forwarded at the tehsil level. If more than one application is received from an area, the most suitable applicant will be selected for the job.Telecom companies, including the private ones, have pledged their support to the PTA for setting up ‘Rabta Ghar’ across the country.

According to the breakdown the PTCL will set up 100 such centres, Mobilink (100), Ufone (50), Instaphone (15), Intel (10) and Worldcall (payphones in all centres).

The PTA itself will be sponsoring 125 Rabta Ghar.

The PTA has also arranged free delivery, installation and training for operation of such centres on location of the selected individuals by Intel through its genuine Intel dealers (GIDs).

A Rabta Ghar operator is expected to earn about Rs5,000 per month.