LAHORE, Feb 21: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is planning to lay a tele centre infrastructure in rural areas of Punjab to provide telecom facilities to the people.

A preliminary report in this regard has been submitted to the Punjab government, suggesting that banks should provide financial assistance and district governments supervize the project.

According to the preliminary report on the project, the tele centres may be installed in union councils, educational institutions, village community centres, rural health centres, vocational training centres, post offices and police stations.

The tele centres set up in government departments may be financed and operated by them in their own buildings located in rural area. The report suggested that government buildings should be leased or rented to private partners through an agreement for installation of tele centres on a revenue-sharing basis.

It also recommended that private entities be encouraged and facilitated for installation of tele centres through banks and NGOs. Financing for tele centres may be arranged through micro-credit schemes of banks.

PTA director (regional) Col Nayyar Hasan told Dawn on Monday that a detailed study of the project would be presented to the governor within two weeks for approval. He said the provincial government would implement the project through local bodies - district, technical and union council Nazims.

He said the project would give telecom access to rural people and also provide benefits to the managers. He said the departments would directly be linked to their district and regional headquarters for having online information on ICTs, health, education, agriculture and other related matters.