Net Neutrality Rocks Lok Sabha , Rahul Gandhi Slams NDA Govt For Trying To Control of Internet
22 April, New Delhi
The issue of Net neutrality rocked the Lok Sabha Wednesday . The matter was raised during the Zero Hour by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.r Gandhi alleged that the government is trying to hand over the control of internet to industrial houses.
Gandhi also demanded that TRAI consultations should be stopped and a law be made.
Replying to the debate, the government said tha it will protect the interests of the internet users across the country. Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government is committed for ensuring a non-discriminatory internet regime for 125 crore Indians.
He said his ministry had constituted a committee much before the eruption of the net neutrality controversy. He said the committee will submit the report within two weeks. The minister said the government will never buckle under the pressure from Corporate Houses. He said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has made certain recommendations but the final decision will be taken by the Cabinet keeping the overall interests of the net users.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants not only e-governance but go a step forward to promote mobile governance. Amidst thumping of desks by members, the Communication and IT Minister informed the House that the government has earned Rs 1,10,000 crore from spectrum auction. He said Prime Minister is among the most popular people in social media.
The idea of net neutrality or free and equal Internet to all has garnered wide attention from across the globe. Net neutrality signifies that governments and internet service providers treat all data on the internet equally, and not charge users, content, platform, site, application or mode of communication differentially.
Net Neutrality stands for an Internet that enables and protects free speech. It is crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who rely on the open Internet to launch their businesses. The Federal Communications Commission had approved a set up rules in 2010, which are known as Open Internet Order or net neutrality.