Parliamentary panel to hear views of Centre & J&K UT officials on suspension of telecom/internet services

Srinagar: The parliamentary panel on Information Technology (IT) would next week hear the viewpoint of Centre and administration of J&K Union Territory over suspension of telecom and internet services in the UT as well as its impact on the people.

The 30-member department- related standing committee on IT has convened a meeting on September 1 to record oral evidence from the representatives of Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives of J&K UT, state Bihar and NCT Delhi over suspension of telecom and internet services.

The panel, comprising representatives of different parties including BJP, Congress, TMC, is headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is also part of the panel, has opposed the discussion, claiming that the matter is sub-judice.

“Since this issue is presently pending before the Supreme Court of India, any further deliberations on this would again be a violation of the relevant rules/directions as well as the recently issued advisory of the Speaker. I therefore appeal to your goodself that the sitting of the committee of Information Technology for the aforementioned purposed be revoked,” reads Dubey’s letter to Tharoor, a copy of which is with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

The BJP from Jharkhand further added, “I request you to consider not taking up those issues for deliberation in our Committee which is of ‘National Importance’, as otherwise, we would again be showing discourtesy to the desire of our Hon’ble Speaker.”

The matter is being discussed at a time when restrictions are still imposed on 4G internet in 18 out of 20 districts of the newly carved out UT.

Hours before abrogation of Article 370 by BJP-led Central government on August 5, 2019, a complete communication blackout was enforced in J&K by suspending telecommunication and internet services in the erstwhile state. (KNO)