Home Secy not to attend IT standing committee meeting on internet shutdown

Meeting of Standing Committee of Parliament on Information Technology is scheduled for Wednesday evening. Yet Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla is unlikely to attend the meeting as the rules of business do not allow discussions on the matter of national security.

New Delhi: Meeting of Standing Committee of Parliament on Information Technology is scheduled for Wednesday evening and as per sources Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla is unlikely to attend the meeting. The meeting will discuss internet shutdown in the country and it is likely to discuss internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir. As per sources Ajay Bhalla has cited section of the rules of business which do not allow discussions on the matter of national security and has informed that he will not attend it to Shashi Tharoor.

The committee is led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and it is likely to record evidence presented by representatives of Ministry of Communication and Home on the subject suspension of telecom services internet and its impact. The subject has not mentioned Jammu and Kashmir specifically but after the abrogation of article 370 Jammu and Kashmir has faced internet shut down more than any other state or union territory.

The standing committee on Information Technology had a meeting in August 2020 where it discussed 5G Telecom and internet shutdown, particularly in J&K.

The panel was briefed about the suspension of telecom services & its impact and India's preparedness for 5G in a meeting held in August. The issue of suspension of internet services in Jammu & Kashmir and possible restoration was enquired by committee members. Officials from the ministry had said that 2G services have been restored and the final call on Restoration of 4G services will be taken by MHA. Internet service in Jammu and Kashmir was suspended after the abrogation of article 370 on August 5, 2019.

Supreme Court of India in January 2020 gave a set of directions to the centre to provide periodic review and duration of internet suspension. Standing committee members had asked why the Ministry of communication has failed to apply new protocols. As per sources, The IT officials said amendments are under process and the decision on suspension is taken by Ministry of Home Affairs and the state where internet suspension had taken place.