Professionals, including journalists and bankers, and select public premises were given internet access for carrying out their work during the time of shutdown in Kashmir, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Telecom Sanjay Dhotre in a writtenreply to the Lok Sabha said that state governments are empowered to issueorders for temporary suspension of internet services to maintain law and orderin the state or part there of under the provisions contained in the TemporarySuspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
He said that records related to internet shutdowns orderedby state governments are not maintained by either Department of Telecom orMinistry of Home Affairs.
Dhotre said that the government is conscious of therequirements and difficulties likely to be faced by the general public andprofessionals including journalists etc due to measures taken for safeguardingthe sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, maintainingpublic order and for prevention of loss of human life and property.
“Government took various steps, which among otherthings included provision of internet facility at the offices of all the DeputyCommissioners and other designated places/Dak Bunglows, access to the internetthrough e-kiosks and special counters at prominent hotels/offices of DistrictSrinagar, Anantnag (Pahalgam), Baramulla (Gulmarg) and Ganderbal (Sonamarg),etc,” he said.
The minister said that the banking sector also continued torender services to their customers and e-banking facilities were provided todesignated branches of various banks.
“Media Facilitation Centre was established and equippedwith all the facilities to provide the uninterrupted internet services to thejournalists, facilitating them to provide un-regulated coverage,” Dhotresaid.
According to internet shutdown tracker website, there havebeen 180 internet shutdown in Kashmir since 2012 with 167 incidences takingplace in the last five years.The internet shutdownbetween August 4, 2019, to March 4, 2020 has been the longest with a durationof 213 days, the website claimed.