New Delhi: The standing committee on Information Technology has dropped the issue of internet shutdown in Jammu & Kashmir as it is a sub judicial matter. The committee is set to meet on September 1.
Jammu & Kashmir internet shutdown issue was listed on the agenda. Earlier Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla road to parliamentary panels to discuss issues following parliamentary rules and not take up subjects that are pending before courts.
The letter by speaker Om Birla reads, "The committee should give due consideration to rule 270 and other necessary rules and directions while selecting subjects for examination." As per rule 270," A committee shall have the power to send for persons, papers and records provided that if any question arises whether the evidence of a person or production of the document is relevant for the purposes of committee, the question shall be referred to the speaker for decision shall be final. "
After the letter of Om Birla, BJP MP and member of IT parliamentary panel Nishikant Dubey also wrote letter to Shashi Tharoor who heads the IT panel and asked him to cancel the meeting on 4G in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dubey wrote," The agenda of our meetings are being decided in front of media and camera glare.
Also read: One year on, wait for high-speed 4G internet continues in Jammu and Kashmir
The subjects which have been selected by our committee, after intensive deliberations, unfortunately, put on the back burner and various small issues which may hit the news headline for a while and vanish immediately are being taken up by committee deliberations, which gives an impression that the platform of Committee on IT is being used for gaining political mileage and racing baseless controversy one after another"
As per sources the issue of suspension of internet services in Jammu & Kashmir and possible restoration was enquired by committee members in the previous meeting of IT Panel on August 11 as reported by Etv Bharat. Officials from the ministry 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.
The Apex court is still considering the matter of internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir. Supreme Court of India in January 2020 gave set of directions to centre to provide periodic review and duration of internet suspension.
Standing committee members in the previous meeting 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.
