Internet clampdown forces Jammu residents to depend on cash payments

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 23

Indefinite suspension of mobile Internet in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5 continues to create hurdles for Jammuites, forcing them to depend on cash only to make payments.

What is more ironical is that the government has recently constituted a high-level 10-member committee to suggest measures to encourage digitalisation of payments, notwithstanding the state is still deprived of the Internet services despite peaceful atmosphere in Jammu region since abrogation of Article 370.

“Jammu has never been disrupted and it has accepted the abrogation of Article 370 and even the UT status, then why it is being deprived for Internet for so long? Things are getting normal in the Valley and even the mobile services have been restored, but there is no word on the restoration of Internet services in Jammu,” regretted Sunil Arora, a businessman in Jammu.

Arora said the Union government had vigorously been campaigning for Digital India and cashless transactions but the campaign has no meaning in prevailing circumstances as the people were forced to make payments only through cash.

“After the demonetisation, the people are afraid of keeping cash at home. Most of the shopping is being done on cards only, but it is not working because of the suspension of mobile Internet, which has led to increase the effect of recession in Jammu markets,” he added.

During the festive season, online shopping offers heavy discounts, which the people of Jammu can see on television advertisements, but cannot avail it, as it requires Internet, which is not available in the state.

Shruti Sharma, a student of Jammu University, said, “Internet has become an essential part of our life nowadays. Living without Internet is as difficult as living without water or electricity. Though the broadband is working, but is on waiting of more than a month and even the broadband is no in the budget of a common man”.