55.75 Lakh Calls Received in Kisan Call Centres

The Kisan Call Centres (KCC) run by the Government of India have been functioning since January 21, 2004. The total number of Call Centres has now increased to 25 at different locations covering farmers in all the States/UTs. The existing Call Centre locations are adequate to provide information on the calls received from the farmers and are serving the needs of farmers in the entire country. Till October 31, 2010, 55.75 lakh calls have been received in these Kisan Call Centres.

A massive publicity campaign has been launched to create wide awareness about the KCC scheme and the toll-free number. The campaign includes telecast of TV advertisement spots in all major languages through major public and private TV Channels. These advertisement spots have been telecast at time slots matching with the preference of farmers in different States. The toll-free number has been changed to 1800-180-1551 to expand the accessibility of the toll-free number through mobile phones of all telephone service providers? networks. As a result, number of calls has increased more than 3 folds from November, 2009 (58738 calls) to October 2010 (192436 calls).

Regular training is being provided to the Level 1 agents through appropriate tie-up with the State Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes to keep updating the knowledge level of agents. In addition, a data-base of Kisan Knowledge Management System (KKMS) has been developed for use by the call centres while answering the farmers? queries instantaneously and comprehensively. An online escalation mechanism to experts at various levels has also been conceptualized.

The issues related to call disconnection, call terminations etc. have been taken up with the BSNL/MTNL to sort out such issues.

This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.