Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday said that all the postpaid phones, irrespective of the networks, will be restored across the Valley, first time after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5.“After reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a decision has been taken to restore mobile phone facilities in all the remaining areas of J&K. More specifically, all postpaid mobile phones, irrespective of the telecom service provider, will stand restored and be functional from 12 noon on Monday (October 14),” said Government spokesman, Rohit Kansal, while addressing a press conference at Media Facilitation Centre (MFC) here.According to Kashmir News Observer (KNO) correspondent present at the presser, Kansal was flanked by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan, Inspector General of Police Kashmir range Swayam Prakash Pani and Director Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Syed Sehrish Asgar.Unprecedented restrictions were imposed across Kashmir on August 5 when Centre scrapped Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs). Internet and mobile phone services on both post and pre-paid phones were snapped on all networks on August 5. Kansal said that mobile phone services were earlier restored in Jammu and Ladakh regions and then simultaneously in two police districts of Kupwara district.Kansal said with the step of restoration of mobile phone services, tourists will be able to visit the State without being handicapped.
“Students would be able to stay in touch with parents while attending schools, businessmen can be in touch with customers, transporters with clients and contactors with the staff,” he said.About the restoration of internet services, Kansal said that last week, travel advisory to tourists issued in August was lifted. “Internet facilities are being opened in tourist places to assist tourists intending to access the internet,” Kansal said.To help the apple growers, an ambitious Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) was launched by the Central government through NAFED and Horticulture department. “The prices for apples have been revised last week and the prices for the best varieties are highly competitive,” Kansal said.He said that media was facilitated through the Media Centre equipped with all facilities. “Schools were reopened in the last 10 days. Examination schedules have been announced. Air services are operating normally and air booking has been facilitated in Srinagar with new counters in the city,”Kansal said.He said that 25 internet kiosks are operating in each district in the deputy commissioners’ office to help students, contractors, and government departments to carry out their functions.“Students have been using this facility to apply for exams, download admission cards etc,” he said.Asked whether the students are supposed to pay the monthly school and buss fee or that would be waived off, Kansal said that divisional commissioner Kashmir is already looking into the issue.(KNO