PANAJI
A day after the Goa Cable TV Networking and Service Providers Association sought intervention of the High Court of Bombay at Goa into the cutting of cable wires, the All Goa Internet Service Providers assured compliance with the government’s directives by January 31.
“We request the government (electricity department) to stop cutting overhead internet cables. We are willing to comply with the directions by January 31. Many of our members have already paid the requisite fees ahead of this deadline,” President of the newly-formed association Sagar Govekar said during a press conference at Azad Maidan on Saturday.
The association, however, urged the government to issue proper guidelines for internet service providers, alleging that indiscriminate cable cutting was inconveniencing consumers and amounting to contempt of court.
“Where is the solution? When this particular matter is already pending in Court, don't you think it is contempt to take a unilateral decision in terms of cutting the cables? Our objective is that we are ready for a solution,” another association member Tiwari said.
He went on to add that with everyone dependent on Wi-Fi networks, students, senior citizens and those having relatives across the borders are also being hugely affected.
“What the electricity department has done is not right, as it is the end customers who are ultimately suffering,” he said.
The members acknowledged they too support clean and organized cabling, and already started work on the same lines. “We are concerned about the current situation, and like everyone else, we want to maintain a clean and organized environment. However, we need better coordination from the government,” another member said.
Govekar also spoke about claims made by Executive Engineer Kashinath Shetye regarding the availability of cable ducts under the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Corporation. “We are not aware of any provision for cable ducts in the Panaji Smart City project, and no communication about this has been conveyed to us by the authorities. Wherever feasible, we have completed underground cabling,” he clarified.
In its writ petition, the Goa Cable Association requested the court to issue an interim injunction restraining the Electricity Department and its Executive Engineer from cutting or disconnecting cables that provide essential connectivity to subscribers until the final disposal of the case. The matter is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, January 22.
