Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to file the status report of connectivity in tribal areas of the state.
These areas include Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and also that of Killar (Pangi Valley) and Bharmaur area Chamba district.
HC has asked BSNL, New Delhi Managing Director, BSNL, Shimla Chief General Manager and JTO, BSNL Kaza, Lahaul and Spiti to file the status report.
The Court also directed these respondents to apprise the Court about further steps, if any, proposed to be taken for augmentation and improvement of the connectivity in these areas.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed these orders on a writ petition filed by Virender Thakur, who has alleged in the petition, that though the districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti are major tourist destinations, yet in the era of connectivity, particularly “internet connectivity”, these districts are not connected with basic telephonic facilities, which is direly required in these districts, due to the tough topography, weather condition and heavy rush of tourists.
He cited the instance of his visit to Rohtang Pass, when huge landslide was witnessed in the area and large number of tourists remained trapped there, as the administration or BRO could not be contacted for an immediate restoration of road due to lack of connectivity.
He has also alleged that due to lack of internet connectivity, the people of these areas remain unaware of various facilities and schemes and the students remain deprived of filling up the forms for the various entrance tests as admissions to most of the courses are through the online system.
The petitioner has also highlighted about the non-availability of letters, postal cards and postal tickets in the post office at Hikam and the problems being faced by the people to visit the said post office, which is at a height of about 4550 meters from sea level.
The Court further directed the Chief Post Master General, H.P., Shimla to file status report qua the availability of postal services in the above tribal areas and to ensure that there is no shortage of postal stamps, post cards etc. there.
The court posted the matter for 7 July.