New Delhi: The Supreme Court asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday to respond to a plea seeking directions to them to restore 4G internet in the Union Territory in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
A bench of Justices NV Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai issued notices to them and sought their reply within a week on the plea filed by ‘Foundation for Media Professionals’ which has assailed an order of the J&K administration on March 26 that restricted to the internet speed to 2G only in the UT.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioner, contended that in view of the ongoing lockdown, it is very necessary to enhance the technology and connectivity in the Union Territory. He said that the virtual classes of students, whose schools are shut due to the lockdown, can only be done through enhancement of technology and better connectivity.
The bench said it is issuing notice which may be served through e-mail on standing counsel of the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Centre.
The plea filed through advocate Shadan Farasat, while seeking restoration of 4G internet services, alleged that the action of the government was violative of Articles 14 (right to equality), 19 (freedom of speech) and 21 (right to life) of the Constitution.
Terming 2G telephone services as “outdated”, the plea said 4G internet speed would be useful in ensuring information flow to the citizens in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic has fundamentally altered the existing situation. At present, the following facts exist: first, COVID-19 exists in India, and is a highly infectious and communicable disease. Research into its origins and the best ways of tackling this disease is ongoing, and there is a continuing flow of new information about how best to contain the fall out of the virus, and limit its spread and impact,” it said.
The plea added that it wanted to ensure flow of information to citizens during these “extraordinary times when the number of cases of coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir has already reached 33, with 2 reported deaths”.
The slow internet speed also renders telemedicine or online video consultation impossible, it said. (PTI)
