Srinagar, Dec 18 : Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani on Friday said that the continuous ban on high speed mobile data services has affected education, tourism, commerce sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Government had promised permission of restoration of high-speed internet services in more districts of Jammu and Kashmir after October-15 but it is now December-18 and nothing has changed on ground and the deprivation of high-speed internet mars the Education, Tourism and commerce sectors badly in valley where only 2g services are in vogue,” Wani said in a statement issued to KPS.
Wani said 4G services were restored in two districts—Ganderbal and Udhampur, on trial basis by the administration in August this year, adding that the officials had said that restoration of high speed internet services would be done in a calibrated manner but no substantial steps were taken in this regard and people were left to develop impunity at the cost of sufferings viz education, commerce, tourism and access to information and the troublesome work culture of media professionals.
He said internet services first remained barred for over five months and then only in January this year, 2G services were restored and later the government announced the setting up of a special committee on the directions of the Supreme Court to examine the resumption of 4G internet.
“After several rounds of hearing before the SC, the centre in August 2020 informed the apex court that the panel has decided to allow internet on trial basis in limited areas after August 15. The high powered committee was likely to hold another detailed review of the situation before October 15,” he said.
Wani said during COVID-19, online classes were held on 2G but it proved almost a failure and affected the education of students badly, commerce, tourism and online job profiling were the second worst hit sectors.
“Since year 2020 is in the completion phase and in Kashmir winter brings additional problems with climatic issues of electricity, travel and healthcare. Restoration of 4G internet can compensate the forthcoming sufferings to a considerable extent as the winter vacations are announced from December 21st with the government circular for online classes to be continued normal schooling or tuitions is not yet allowed anywhere and new class work has to be continued by way of online only, similarly trade, job seeking and other related issues are internet dependent only and it all can be carried away efficiently only if high speed internet is restored without any further delay,” he said.
JKCSF expressed serious concern over this sensitive issue and urged for the complete restoration of 4G internet in all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said.
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