V S Achuthanandan, Kunhalikutty said that the UDF government had only asked the companies to improve their bandwidth so that schools
P. K. Kunhalikutty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty told the Assembly on Wednesday that the UDF government had not altered the right of way guidelines for the laying of optic fibre cables by telecom firms, but only strengthened the rules further for the state’s benefit.
Replying to a submission moved by Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, Kunhalikutty said that the UDF government had only asked the companies to improve their bandwidth so that schools and government offices along the cable route get faster and easier access.
“In fact, we have only strengthened them further to the state’s benefit,” he said. DC had earlier reported that the government had altered many conditions prescribed for granting right of way to private telecom firms for laying optic fibre cable.
Mr Achuthanandan said that the LDF government had specified that the companies laying the cables should provide free connectivity to government and aided schools, Akshaya centres and government offices along the cable route. He alleged that now the guidelines had been diluted in favour of private telecom operators.
Mr. Kunhalikutty also said that discussions would be held with public works department on addressing the damage caused to roads owing to the ongoing cable laying works.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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