Lifting of gag on social media brings cheer to bizmen, tourism players

Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 5

The lifting of gag on social media use has brought some cheer to the Valley’s business community and tourism players. However, they want restoration of fast-speed Internet at the earliest as their businesses continue to suffer, especially due to the lack of 4G service.

“Lifting of gag on social media will definitely help us. While the gag was affecting tourism promotion, tourists, too, were complaining as they were unable to access social media. Tourists love to upload photographs on social media when in Kashmir and now they will be able to do the same. However, 2G speed wastes a lot of time and for making video calls or uploading videos, we require 4G speed. Therefore, 4G service should be restored at the earliest,” said Farooq A Kuthoo, general secretary of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK).

He said fast-speed Internet also kept tourists busy in the evenings due to lack of nightlife in Kashmir.

“After sightseeing during the day, Internet is the main source of entertainment for tourists due to no nightlife here. Therefore, 4G Internet is a must and its restoration will have a good impact on the tourism sector that is trying to revive itself,” said Kuthoo.

Tourism and business activities were badly hit after phone and Internet services got suspended in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year. Though post-paid mobile service was later restored on October 14 last year after around 70 days, limited access 2G service was restored only from January 25 this year with access only to whitelisted websites and no access to social media. The ban on social media was lifted yesterday only.

The businessmen, especially the ones whose activities were dependent on Internet, too, want restoration of 4G Internet.

“We already have suffered a lot and for those who use Internet for business are still struggling. We have young entrepreneurs promoting their goods on social media and their businesses had come to a standstill. Free access to social media will help them but they also need fast-speed Internet. We hope 4G service, too, gets restored quickly and we also hope that there are no more Internet and social media gags,” said Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) vice-chairman Aijaz Shahdhar.

As per the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) report, Kashmir’s economy had suffered losses to the tune of around Rs 18,000 crore in 120 days after August 5.

BOX

Rs 18,000-cr losses in 180 days

The business community suffered Rs 18,000 crore losses in 120 days after August 5, 2019, as per the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries

Ban on mobile, Internet service hit business activities, tourist sector hard

Restoration of 2G on January 25 gave little respite due to gag on social media

Lifting of social media gag on March 4 welcomed, but 4G service remains off