House panel to assess govt schemes in J&K

The parliamentary committee on information technology, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Friday will begin a week-long visit to Jammu & Kashmir, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai to assess the “overall functioning” of various government schemes and initiatives, including the Centre’s flagship scheme for easy internet access, BharatNet, and review the working of organisations such as Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), people familiar with the matter said.

The panel, comprising 31 members, will also review access to internet services in J&K, the people cited above added.

As per the plan, the panel on Friday will meet representatives of the department of telecommunications in Srinagar to discuss the “overall functioning of BSNL and progress of implementation of various schemes… including BharatNet in the circle”. BharatNet is the government’s flagship project that aims to provide easy internet connectivity to all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country.

In Mumbai, the panel will also meet members of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and hold a review of its functioning.

The ministry of information and broadcasting is currently facing pushback from the film industry regarding a proposed amendment that allows the ministry to ask CBFC to review a film that has already been certified.

In Hyderabad, the panel will visit T-Hub, the country’s largest tech incubator. It will also meet state government officials to discuss the “digital payment and online security measures for data protection”. It will also undertake a review of the functioning of Doordarshan Kendras in the state. The panel’s visit will conclude in Chennai with a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology, which is currently working on a domestic 5G test bed. In February, HT had reported that the committee, in a report submitted to Parliament, said the country is woefully unprepared to roll out 5G technology. The government, however, said the rollout will begin shortly.