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| Mobile connectivity for Amarnath Pilgrims by Jul 1: Pilot | | Over one lakh more connections for J&K soon | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 21: Even as the state is yet to overcome the intermittent shocks on 'ban fits' from Centre, the Telecommunication Ministry appears to be magnanimous enough in providing over one lakh fresh mobile phone connections in J&K. This is part of the policy and programme under consideration of Union government to strengthen communication network in terrorism and naxalite affected areas across the state. The GOI will also provide mobile connectivity for the first time this year to the lakhs of pilgrims who will be visiting the state for annual Amarnath Yatra.
The disclosures were made here today by none other than a person at the helm- Sachin Pilot, Union Minister of state for Information Technology and Telecommunications on the sidelines of a function organized in connection with martyrdom day of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. " The union government is keen on linking remotest corners of strife torn, terrorism afflicted states with telecommunication network…….new towers are being installed to connect them with rest of world", Sachin said adding that naxal hit areas also get priority in coverage. He informed over 10,000 new towers would be erected in sensitive areas of the country.
"The security related constraints cannot be undermined……..we have take care of all the things particularly look into security aspects while covering terrorism affected areas and border areas", the young Pilot asserted while replying to a query of media persons. The security issue cannot be ignored but all care would be taken in terms of completing necessary formalities before providing fresh connections in J&K, he said adding in the same breath that terrorism hit states cannot be deprived of much needed connectivity. The vital point he made is that in order to facilitate around four lakh pilgrims visiting Amarnath Shrine in Kashmir valley, the Union government has decided to provide them with mobile connectivity from this year and for the purpose BSNL towers are being erected enroute its difficult terrain.
Substantiating his point, Pilot said that due to the non-availability of information, the inhabitants of these regions do not remain updated of day to day happenings ….their backwardness and ignorance about the happenings around is one of the reasons they indulge in anti-national activities……….which is why government is considering to strengthen the communication network in such areas, Pilot maintained.
He further said that there were complaints of connectivity problems along border areas that caused inconvenience to the jawans deployed at these posts in communicating to their families. " Satellites phones were made available to them . However, in order to facilitate their connectivity on constant basis with their families, the people in BSF, ITBP will now get this facilty on cheaper rates", the Union minister said adding that from April 15, the call charges of satellite phones have been slashed down from Rs 5 to Re 1 per minute for the paramilitary troops on the borders.
Asserting that he and his department in particular would leave no effort in actualizing the dream late Rajiv Gandhi had envisioned, he said e-governance would no more be a dream as any document, record and vital information would soon be made available at the doorsteps of people, particularly in rural areas. He said the Telecommunication Department had resolved to connect all the Panchayats across the country with Broadband connections and this task is likely to be accomplished by the year 2012.
Meanwhile the Minister disclosed that the Department of Information Technology had exported goods worth 60 billion dollar in the previous year adding, ''IT is one of the mediums that not only help in country's development but also unites people.''
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