J&K may soon get mobile services

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday said it has okayed the introduction of mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir.

The proposal will now require a final clearance from the defence ministry, which has to take a decision on erecting antennas within the cantonment area in Srinagar and certain other places.

"The communication system will be revamped with the introduction of mobile system," Home Secretary N Gopalaswami said at a meeting of Consultative Committee of MPs presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani in New Delhi.

Gopalaswami said a Rs250 crore plan is being implemented in J&K to upgrade radio and television broadcast systems. A self-employment scheme is also being launched in the state from August this year.

Asserting that there has been a 'marked' change in the situation in J&K, Advani agreed with the MPs that Operation Sarp Vinash of the security forces should continue to eliminate terrorist elements from the state.

"Efforts will continue on a long-term basis to bring normalcy in J&K," the deputy prime minister said.