(a) whether the Government have declared Gujarat coast as security Sensitive Area in clause-13 of the guidelines for setting up of Submarine Cable Landing Station for International Gateway of Internet;
(b) whether the Government of Gujarat has proposed to the Union Government for review of the said guidelines; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Union Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a) Guidelines were announced by the Government in the year 2000 regarding International Gateways for Internet using Submarine cable Medium. As per Clause 13 of the guidelines for setting up of Submarine Cable Landing Stations for International Gateways for Internet, setting up of landing stations was not permitted in security sensitive areas including coastal areas of Gujrat.
(b) Yes, Sir.
(c ) Government of Gujarat had urged that in the interest of economic development of Gujarat, the restriction of setting up of Submarine Cable Landing Stations in coastal areas of Gujarat be removed. Government had subsequently considered the issue and decided to permit setting up of International gateways in security sensitive areas including submarine cable landing stations in security sensitive areas which includes coastal areas of Gujarat also, subject to setting up of appropriate monitoring equipments by the Security Agencies and appropriate charges to be paid by the licensee towards monitoring equipments or setting up of monitoring equipment