4G for two J&K dists after I-Day

The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that there would be a “carefully calibrated easing of 4G internet restrictions” on trial basis in two districts of Jammu & Kashmir after August 15, subject to “strict monitoring”.

Two districts — one in the Jammu region and the other in Kashmir – that will see the return of 4G services will not be in any area adjoining the border or the LoC, and will be those which have low intensity of terrorist activities.

The lifting of curbs on 4G services – that is in force since March 26 – will be for two months after which it will be reviewed.

Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal told a bench comprising Justice N.V. Ramana, Justice R. Subhash Reddy and Justice B.R. Gavai that the special committee headed by Union home secretary had met on August 10, 2020, felt that in the given “current security scenario, situation is not yet conducive to restore high speed internet access to mobile phones.”

The Attorney General told the court that restrictions on 4G services have not hindered the Covid care, education and business in the State as they are continuing through broadband services through landline.

Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi said that they are not pressing their contempt plea as they would not like the sword of contempt hanging on the heads of the senior officials.

Ahmadi appeared for NGO Foundation for Media Professionals which had filed a contempt plea against the Centre for not complying with the court’s May 11 order to set up the special committee. The Committee was set up after the filing of the contempt plea. Justice Ramana asked Attorney General Venugopal to respond to the written note in two weeks' time and directed the listing of the matter after two weeks.