Supreme Court asks Centre, Jammu and Kashmir administration to take definite stand on 4G in UT

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir administration to take a definite stand on restoration of 4G internet services in the Union Territory.

A bench presided over by Justice N V Ramana also asked if the high speed internet could be made available in certain areas over there.

The Centre referred to change of Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu with former Union Minister Manoj Sinha and sought time for taking instructions. It, however, maintained that the special committee, formed to review the decision on availability of 4G internet remained the same.

The court noted that it had earlier sought clarification in view of previous Lt Governor's press statement on possibility of making available high speed internet services.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time to file a reply in the matter. The court posted a contempt petition filed by NGO Foundation for Media Professionals for consideration Tuesday.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the applicant, contended they were taking a long time to respond.

To this, the bench told him, you have waited this long, wait for some more days, we need to have the government's response, then we will see if there is any contempt and if the order by the court was complied with or not.

The NGO filed the contempt plea alleging no special committee was formed to decide on restoration of 4G network within the Union Territory, in terms of the top court's judgement of May 11.