Ban on pre-paid mobile services in J&K "temporary": Farooq Abdullah
Srinagar: Union New and Renewable Energy
Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said that the ban imposed by
the Centre on prepaid mobile phone connections in Jammu and
Kashmir was "temporary" and would be lifted soon.
"The ban on prepaid cell phone connections in the state is
temporary and would be lifted soon," Abdullah told reporters
here in SK Stadium.
Abdullah said the ban was imposed as the Centre had
apprehensions that the mobile connections were being misused.
"The state government has already taken up the issue with
the Centre and very soon the facility of prepaid connections
would be restored in the state," Abdullah said.
The ban was imposed in the state from November 01 in the
wake of reports that proper verification is not being done
while providing such connections by the service
providers/vendors raising security concerns.
The move will affect nearly 38 lakh pre-paid mobile
phone subscribers in the state where Airtel has nearly 19 lakh
subscribers followed by BSNL with 12 lakh and Aircel seven
lakh.
Cong leaders to seek exemption
Congress leaders would take up the
issue of exemption on ban on pre-paid mobile connections in
Jammu and Kashmir with the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram,
who is scheduled to visit the winter capital tomorrow to
review prevailing security scenario and progress on the
implementation of Prime Minister's rehabilitation package for
Kashmiri migrants.
"We will take up the issue regarding ban on pre-paid
mobile connections in the state with the visiting central
dignitary tomorrow," minister for Revenue, Relief and
Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla told new agencies here tonight.
There is a lot of public pressure that Centre should be
persuaded to review the decision and give exemption to J&K, he
said adding that this issue is likely to figure during
Chidambaram's visit to PCC headquarter, where he will interact
with the party functionaries.
Bureau Report