Question : WITHDRAWAL OF STD ISD SERVICES IN KASHMIR VALLEY

(a) whether STD and ISD services were withdrawn from all private public call offices and cyber cafes in Kashmir valley following reports of misuse of these facilities by militants;

(b) if so, the date from which these facilities have been withdrawn;

(c) whether the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have opposed the withdrawal of STD/ISD facilities;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon; and

(e) the action taken by the Government to provide alternative employment/job opportunities to the people losing their livelihood as a consequence thereof?

THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)

(a) & (b): The STD and ISD services were withdrawn on security considerations from all private public call offices and cyber cafes in 8 districts of Jammu & Kashmir State, namely, Kupwara, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua and Doda with effect from 28.12.2001 and 4 more districts, namely, Badgam, Srinagar, Udhampur and Jammu with effect from 1.1.2002 .


(c) & (d): Some representations have been received by the Government requesting for restoration of the STD/ ISD facilities on the PCOs in J&K State . Government is keeping a watch on the situation.


(e): Even though the STD/ISD facility has been withdrawn, the local and 95 dialing facility is available to all such franchised PCO operators and they can dial most of the places in the State . The minimum guarantee for these PCOs has accordingly been reduced to be in line with Local PCOs.