Scores of people from different areas of north Kashmir on Sunday accused Bharat Sanachar Nigam Limited (BSNL) authorities shelving the norms while providing the service.“They delay the process without any reason while giving the broadband connection. They are not following any procedure,” a group of residents from Baramulla said.Non-availability of Internet services has caused immense inconveniences to common people and especially students.Javid Ahmad a customer from Bramulla said, “On 21 September I visited office of the Bharat Sanachar Nigam Limited exchange Baramulla for the broadband connection but till now I am not getting any reply from them despite repeated visits."They are deliberately delaying it, he added.However, the authorities say that they don’t have internet ports system available.Due to delay in the process of broadband connection by the authorities, those who are in need of internet are seen visiting the Divisional Commissioners (DC) complex for the internet which shuts after 4 pm.
People from Baramulla, Kanispora complained that they informed the higher ups of BSNL a number of times, but they have failed to take any action in this regard.They said that they are delaying the process of installing due to reasons best known to them.Locals from Barmulla alleged that there are agents in the exchange who take hefty amount of money from blue eyed candidates.People from Sopore and its adjoining areas also said that they are facing the same problem.“We applied for the broadband connection days before but till now the BSNL authorities haven’t installed the ports here. We are still waiting,” they said.They also said that the employees in Sopore exchange are asking us to go Baramulla. “For what purpose they are there,” they questioned.PRO BSNL division Kashmir, Masood Balla said, “We have received a number of complaints regarding the matter and we are ascertaining it with the help of vigilance. We will look into the matter.”He said, people can also log the complaints with the vigilance as well.“At some places there are technical problems and there is also non-availability of internet ports which is hindering the department to install the broadband connections there. The problem will be solved soon,” he added. (KNS)