Lok Sabha Question No. 123 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Internet Shutdown
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR, FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 123 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th   DECEMBER, 2018

## INTERNET SHUTDOWN

- *123.  ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR: SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  were  42  reported  incidents  of internet shutdown in 2017 as compared to 6 in 2014, and that India is one of the top ranked  countries  in  terms  of  the  number  of  internet  shutdowns  by  Government authorities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons attributed for such shutdowns;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  Government  wants  to  prevent  riots  and  hate crimes by making shutdowns of internet services and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether due process was followed in approving the said shutdowns and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (e) whether  punitive  or  disciplinary  action  was  taken  in  cases  where  due  process was not followed and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Contd………2/-

## STATEMENT  TO  BE  LAID  ON  THE  TABLE  OF  LOK  SABHA  IN  RESPECT  OF PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *123  FOR  19 TH DECEMBER, 2018 ON 'INTERNET SHUTDOWN'.

(a) to (e) In  order  to  streamline  the  process  of  internet  shutdowns  in  the  Country, the  Department  of  Telecommunications  notified  'Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017' on 07.08.2017. As per these rules,  the  directions  for  temporary  suspension  of  telecom  services,  including  internet services  in  an  area,  can  either  be  issued  by  the  Union  Home  Secretary  in  case  of Central Government or the State Home Secretary in case of State Government, due to public emergency or in the interest of public safety.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has informed that it has not issued any order for temporary suspension of internet services under the provisions of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.

State Governments are also empowered to issue orders for temporary suspension  of  internet  services  in  the  State  or  part  thereof  under  the  provisions contained  in  the  Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public  Emergency  or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. The details about such internet shutdowns ordered by State Governments are not maintained by Department of Telecommunications.

The  Department  of  Telecommunications  had  received  a  joint  representation dated  08.08.2018  from  telecom  service  providers,  wherein,  it  was  intimated  that frequent suspension of internet services are being ordered by various State Governments. Accordingly, on 28.09.2018, all State Governments have been directed to sensitize the concerned officials/agencies against precipitate actions leading to shut down of Internet services, and to ensure that the provisions of  'Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017' are adhered to.

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