Mubashir Bukhari
Sringar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday restored voice calling and short messaging service (SMS) facilities for all prepaid users across Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides, 2G mobile data services were restored on postpaid mobiles in all 10 districts of Jammu. In Kashmir division, 2G data was restored in Kupwara and Bandipora districts only. However, mobile internet shall remain suspended in Budgam, Ganderbal,Baramulla,Srinagar,
J&K Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal while addersing a press conference said that after a careful review, the competent authority has ordered today that voice and SMS facilities shall be restored on all local prepaid SIM cards across J&K.
He said that after the assessment of the overall security scenario in the UT of J&K pursuant to directions dated 14.01.2020 relating to the regulation of telecom services does not indicate any immediate adverse impact in the areas where internet access was provided.
“However, there have been number of reports of the use of internet in cross border terrorism/terror activities, incitement, rumour-mongering, etc. as also misuse of pre-paid mobile connections by anti-national elements. Considering all the relevant factors, we are satisfied that it is absolutely necessary so to do, in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the Security of the State and for maintaining public order, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, hereby issue the followings directions, in addition to & in partial modification of Government Order No. Home -03 (TSTS) of 2020 Dated: 14.01.2020: a) ,” he said.
According to the order issued by J&K Home department, users can access only 153 whitelisted websites. ” 2G mobile data services on the post-paid moblies for accessing whitelisted websites shall be allowed in all 10 districts of Jammu divison and to begin with, the revenue distrits of Kupwara and Bandipora. The mobile internet connectivity shall, however, remain suspended in the districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgarn, Shopian and Pulwama,” the official order reads.
Besides the order said that Voice and SMS facility only shall be restored on all local pre-paid sim cards across the UT of J&K. “Further, in order to consider provision of mobile Internet connectivity on such sim cards, the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) shall initiate the process for verification of credentials of these subscribers as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections,” the order reads.
The Internet Service Providers (ISPs BSNL/Private Service Providers) has been directed to provide fixed line Internet connectivity, with precautions as already directed, to those companies that are engaged in Software (IT/ITES) Services.
