With the State Government frequently suspending internet services, the Government of India has come down heavily and has asked not to resort to such options when public emergency or public safety is not impacted.

Ministry of Communications Secretary Aruna Sundarajan brought to the notice of the State Government in general about the frequent suspension of internet services in various places, leading to harassment of the citizens.

She said that it has come to the notice of the Ministry of Communications that several State Governments are suspending internet services though there is no public emergency or safety issues involved.

Citing the rules, Sundararajan said Temporary Suspension (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 empowers the State Governments to issue directions for temporary suspension of telecom services only on the occurrence of public emergency or in the interest of public safety as per the provisions of Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

In fact, the Government of India has embarked upon a programme to deliver services to citizens through mobiles and internet services apart from promoting cashless economy.

In absence of internet services, access to various citizen centric services is hampered and people are harassed, she told. She also pointed out that in absence of internet connectivity banking transactions are affected leading to hardship to the citizens.

The Government of India has urged the State Government to constitute a Review Committee headed by the Chief Secretary to review such orders within five working days from the date of issuance of suspension order for internet services.

The Law Secretary will be taken as a Member of the State Level Review Committee and the Home Secretary will be convener of the committee for such review, said the Union Secretary.

Once suspension order is sent to the district authorities approved by competent authority, the copy of the order will be sent to the State Level Review Committee for Review on the very next day, pointed out Sundarrajan.

She urged the State Government to sensitise the senior officers in this regard and take necessary steps so that citizens are not left harassed due to suspension of internet services.