The Centre on Tuesday promised to ensure “non-discriminatory access to Internet” to all the citizens and committed to the fundamental principles and concept of Net neutrality.
IT and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Government stands for ensuring non-discriminatory access to Internet for all citizens of the country. “It (Government) is committed to the fundamental principles and concept of Net neutrality, keeping the Internet accessible and available to all without discrimination,” Prasad said while replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Trinamool Congress member Derek O Brien.
Brien accused the TRAI of “compromising with the privacy” of people by putting out the mail IDs of 10 lakh people who gave their suggestions to its consultation paper. He demanded an assurance from the Minister that no action will be taken on the TRAI’s recommendation on this matter without taking the Parliament’s consent.
Unlike the Government-Opposition clash during a debate on the issue in the lok Sabha when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had raised it a fortnight ago, the Rajya Sabha witnessed an unanimity on the issue. During the one-hour debate, members cutting across party lines slammed TRAI for its consultation paper that sparked off a debate over Net-neutrality.
“Connectivity to Internet must go on in an unhindered manner... I assure the House that the key principles of Net neutrality will be followed while following concerns with a national outlook,” he said.
Ruling alliance the BJP and the Shiv Sena also voiced their concerns on the matter, noting which Prasad said, Net neutrality is party neutral, ideology neutral and appreciated the entire House which proved the importance of RS— “Substance without flamboyance is the hallmark of this House”.
BJP member Tarun Vijay drew parallel of the fight for Net neutrality with Mahatma Gandhi’s salt agitation during freedom struggle and dubbed telecom companies as “Shylock” and “sharks”.
As Prasad argued that a study across 86 countries says that 74 per cent of nations lack clear and effective Net neutrality, members insisted that this should not be used as a ground for not having a legislative measure to protect Net neutrality. The IT Minister said he had formed a committee on the issue of Net neutrality in January 2015 and its report was expected by the month end.