Buta Singh, who arrived here to have a darshan of Lord Venkateswara, said that after getting the feedback from various departments under his control, he was under the impression that there was a lot of scope to spread the communication network to the entire country so as to make the telecom facilities universal and available to every citizen by strengthening the primary infrastructure.

The ultimate aim, he said, was to provide a trouble-free, affordable and faster communication facilities in the country both in urban and rural areas.

He lauded the telecom department for achieving an all-time record since independence in providing 3.2 million new telephone connections in 1997-98, and added that the same tempo would be maintained this year also.Likewise, he said, the growth rate in the communication sector from 20 per cent to 25 per cent wasalso a record achievement among the public sector units. Both basic and value-added telecom services would have to be improved further.

On the ongoing tussle between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), he said he would strive to bring about an out-of-court settlement between the two.

He said money would not be a constraint at all in carrying out the development programmes in telecom services and the department was all set for a big leap towards progress.

He said the Internet service, which was hitherto confined to only limited areas in the country, would be expanded in a big way throughout the country which, in turn, would pave the way for a leap in information technology.The private sector also would be involved wherever necessary in the expansion programme to achieve better and quick results.

On arrival at the Padmavathi guest house here, Buta Singh was accorded a warm reception by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam officials.

Earlier, Butasaid the question of his rejoining the Congress party did not arise as he had certain goals and plans for future.

Reacting to the call given by AICC president Sonia Gandhi to the leaders who have left the party earlier to return to the Congress, Singh said the call should have come a little earlier. However, Buta said he had a lot of respect for Sonia Gandhi and her family.

The minister said that for the country's development and a stable government at the Centre, he would contribute his share.