Internet providers dispute ‘no outage' claim of Goa govt
The All Goa Internet Service Providers Association (AGISPA) said it is surprised by the claims made by the electricity department that Goa did not witness disruption in internet services.
AGISPA president Mervyn Britto said that claims about Goan internet service providers (ISPs) not seeking approvals are blatantly false.
Britto's statement comes after the department of information technology, electronics and communications (DITE&C) informed the state legislative assembly that fibre optic cables attached to street light poles lack the electricity department's permission.
DITE&C minister Rohan Khaunte said that dismantling fibre cables attached to street light poles is a routine procedure.
The department's response comes six months after Goa reeled from major internet disruptions.
Khaunte informed the House that no permission has been given to any ISPs in the last five years.
'In reality, providers submitted their applications to the IT department as far back as Nov 2023 and additionally to the electricity department,' Britto said. 'Despite repeated submissions and reminders, our applications have been kept pending since Jan.'
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He said that the statements made in the assembly contradict the assurances given by CM Pramod Sawant.
'Statements made in the House have cast doubt on the very existence of official records of cable disruptions and right of way applications,' said Britto.
The AGISPA said that it sent a reminder to the DITE&C on July 12 asking for the modalities for issuing demand notes and making payments under deemed approval cases.
Britto said that ISPs are facing significant challenges in making payments because of the 'deliberate delay and lack of transparency' by govt.
Britto said that the AGISPA submitted multiple letters to govt over the past several months but has yet to receive any formal communication or acknowledgement.
The association has requested the department to provide an orientation session for ISPs to understand the approval process and the Gati Shakti portal's functioning.
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