Centre, operators to discuss prepaid service in J&K

PTI

New Delhi: The Home ministry has called a meeting with the CEOs of mobile operators on Wednesday to discuss how prepaid mobile services can be made foolproof in terms of security in the terrorism-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home secretary, Mr G.K. Pillai, will have a meeting with the CEOs on new security features and verification obligations ensuring the foolproof security in prepaid mobile services in the state, according to official sources.

Amid security concerns, the Centre had last month banned prepaid mobile phone connections in J&K sparking widespread protests.

CEOs and CMDs of BSNL, Tata Teleservices, Reliance Telecom, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Aircel and Idea have been invited to the meeting as these companies offer mobile services in the state.

The Supreme Court also on Tuesday granted two weeks time to the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to respond to a petition challenging the ban on pre-paid mobile phone services in the state.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices J.M. Panchal and B S. Chauhan posted the matter for further hearing on January 8.

The apex court had on November 16 issued notices to the ministries of Home and Telecom and the state government asking them to respond within two weeks about security concerns and economical issues raised in the PIL, filed by the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.