Wokshop of States on Bharatnet - National Fibre Optics Network
New Delhi, 29 May 2015:
Wokshop of States on Bharatnet - National Fibre Optics Network on May 29 2015 at New Delhi
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has appealed the Centre to introduce the Satellite model for boosting communications and digital connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh and other hill states of the North Eastern Region.
While speaking at the Workshop with States on Bharatnet – the National Fibre Optics Network (NFON) organized by Department of Telecommunications under Union Ministry of Communications and IT at New Delhi today, the Chief Minister highlighted the communication bottlenecks afflicting the North Eastern Region.
He pointed that while several telecom operators are active in Arunachal Pradesh and other states they are mainly concentrated in urban areas with connectivity which is again erratic in nature. Besides, rural areas with difficult terrain are yet to be connected with modern communications network.
Admitting that laying optical fibre networks in these areas is an uphill task, the Centre should therefore opt for a Satellite model of communications for the benefit of the people living in these areas, he said. This would not only guarantee faster connectivity but would be a workable model in the entire North Eastern States which is characterized primarily by such challenging terrain.
Tuki shared that it is very difficult to reach out to the people in mountainous areas of the state especially the areas adjoining the vast international border of the state. The introduction of Satellite connectivity would serve the dual purpose of catering to civilian as well military needs in this strategic state, he said.
He also mentioned that while the focus has been primarily on physical connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh and the Region, a new paradigm shift is required to boost digital connectivity which is a faster mode to connect people and will go a long way in integrating the North East with mainland India much faster.
Union Minister of Communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad while taking note of the CM’s appeal appreciated the idea of the proposed alternative model and assured to look into the same.
The Chief Minister also expressed his concern on the recent move to delink several E-governance schemes by the Centre. He said that at a time when the primary focus of his Government is to streamline Government services through E-Governance projects, the delinking of ongoing schemes would adversely impact the development of the State.
He appealed that these schemes should be continued in the interests of enhancing the citizens’ services framework in the state.
Tuki also mentioned that many outsiders are posted under operators like BSNL and often it is observed that these officers (both technical and non-technical) hardly operate from within the state as they find the posting a difficult one. In view of this, he requested the Ministry of Telecommunications and IT to train the local youth and employ them in various jobs in the sector.
The Chief Minister made an earnest appeal for a strong regulatory framework for monitoring the Social Media activities in the country. He opined that the Social Media must be a tool for integration, outreach and sharing of ideas and not a means to divide the society by creating hatred amongst the diverse sections and interest groups of the society.
Geetartha Darshan Barua,
Nodal Officer - Arunachal Vision 2030
Additional Private Secretary to Chief Minister,
Government of Arunachal Pradesh
* This press release was sent to e-pao.net by Geetartha Darshan Barua who can be contacted at geetartha(aT)rediffmail(doT)com
This Press Release was posted on May 30 2015
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