Union Ministry of Communication had fixed a deadline for Jammu and Kashmir, like other States in the country, for implementation of BharatNet project which is unlikely to be achieved looking to the pace of work going on it currently. The fact of the matter is that over 4400 Gram Panchayats and Block Headquarters in the State have not been provided Broadband connectivity. Providing Broadband facility to Panchayats was mooted with an ambition to empower Panchayats and rural India by connecting them through this modern facility of connectivity.
It may be recalled that National Optical Fibre Network, later rechristened as BharatNet project, was launched in 2012 but the actual work on the project started only in late 2014. The implementation of the project, however, got jerks and did not pick up the required momentum in the State till date for no cogent reasons excepting lack of cooperation and coordination from State Government agencies. That is further clear from the fact that till July 8 this year , a total of 549 kilometers long optical fibre cable only has been laid since the launch of the project in Jammu and Kashmir.
Recognizing the right to universal access to information and knowledge to be availed of by 70% of the population living in rural India, the agenda of inclusive growth could get sustenance through broadband connectivity but it is unfortunate that even in this sphere also, the State lags much behind as compared to other States. The slow pace of work on it needs to be seriously addressed and geared up. That obviously means that the exercise of laying of cables must be completed as early as possible and service provided to the targeted beneficiaries simultaneously. The dream of providing affordable digital services in the rural areas of the country like e- health, e- education and e- governance needs to be fulfilled with all seriousness.
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