CANACONA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday asked mobile services providers to improve connectivity in rural areas.
Sawant chaired a meeting with officials of BSNL and Jio at his residence in Altinho-Panaji in the presence of Deputy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes and Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar.
Students in rural areas across the State have been complaining of poor network connectivity for online classes
According to Fernandes, who was present for the discussion, the chief minister directed officials of both companies to provide network connectivity in all remote areas in the State as soon as possible.
“The CM also highlighted the difficulties faced by students while attending to online education,” said Fernandes.
“The officials of both mobile service providers agreed to visit and carry out a technical assessment in Shiroda constituency on Thursday, while a similar inspection is planned at Cotigao and other areas with poor or no mobile connectivity in Gaondongrim and Poinguinim villages of Canacona constituency on Monday.”
Fernandes said the chief minister also informed the mobile telecom officials about the reduced rates/taxes to provide mobile telecommunication facilities in remote areas, while also assuring single-window clearance for required permissions.
Fernandes said he has been requesting telecom companies since the last several years to provide mobile connectivity at Cotigao, as the lone tower of a private network provider has been disconnected.
“As a result, several children from these areas like Marlim-Tirval and Amone in Poinguinim, besides interior parts of Gaondongrim do not have any mobile connectivity. These students and those working from home are among the worst affected during this pandemic,” said Fernandes.
