SC TO DECIDE
In the coming days the Supreme Court is going to decide the contempt writ petition filed by an NGO who had in an earlier application pleaded for the high speed internet services in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Supreme Court expressed its displeasure when the government advocate asked for some more time as new LG has taken oath recently.
Court said that the government should stop beating behind the bush and come forward clean on this matter.
The SC on July 28 had asked the SG to explain the dichotomy in the stand of then LG G C Murmu, who had favored resumption of 4G services, and the home secretary-headed high-powered committee, which had said the time was not right to provide faster internet services given the militancy and terrorism situation in the UT.
The bench said, “The then LG had said there was no difficulty in providing 4G telecom services in Kashmir. What is the basis for that statement? You explore if it is possible for the administration to provide 4G internet services in the UT. We do not know the ground level situation. But don’t delay things. Find out whether faster internet services can be restored in some areas if possible.”
Tushar Mehta defending government said the government has implemented the SC’s judgment on reviewing the ground situation to examine whether conditions were ripe for providing faster internet services. “The then LG had apparently given an interview on faster internet services. Now, a new incumbent is in the post. I will take instruction and file an affidavit by Tuesday, he told the court. The SC has given only a few days to the government as the petitioners alleged that the government was only buying time without going for the implementation of court directions.
