No decision on J&K 4G restoration yet; ex-L-G Murmu's statement not applicable: Govt to SC

Clarifying on reports about restoration of 4G internet services in Jammu-Kashmir, Centre has told Supreme Court that former L-G's statement on same is more applicable. apex court is scheduled to hear case on Tuesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has informed top court that Jammu Kashmir has a new Lt Goverr and his assessment is sought in matter.

This comes as SC pulled Centre and said that re should be delay from its side. To this, S-G said that government has already formed a committee as per SC's guidelines and  committee has suggested against restoration of high-speed internet in J-K at present time. 

Centre to SC: Will verify 4G claims by L-G Murmu

Last week, Centre told Supreme Court that it will verify reported statements made by Lt Goverr of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Ram Madhav that 4G Internet service can be restored in Union Territory, and sought time to file a reply to rejoinder affidavit filed by an NGO. A bench of justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai adjourned hearing for August 7. Calls for restoration of high-speed internet services in Valley have been raised by many amid Coronavirus pandemic.

READ | J&K: 4G internet till August 19; admin cites 'anti-national activities ahead of I-Day'

Extension of 2G internet

In reprieve to citizens of Jammu-Kashmir, Union territory's administration extended its ban on high-speed 4G internet till August 19. Internet remains restricted to 2G speed for post-paid sim cards and verified pre-paid sim cards. administration has maintained that this move is done due to rise in anti-national activities over coming weeks in view of completing one year since revocation of Article 370 and Independence Day.

READ | Omar Abdullah says both Murmu & Satya Pal Malik got order to leave 'when least expected'

Murmu's appointment as first L-G of UT

Post-abrogation of Article 370 from Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu was appointed as first L-G of newly bifurcated UT Jammu-Kashmir, succeeding Goverr Satya Pal Malik. Murmu previously served as principal secretary to n CM of Gujarat Narendra Modi and belongs Gujarat Cadre of Indian Administrative Services. During his service in Gujarat, he held key administrative operations in state and was Secretary in department of expenditure at Ministry of Finance in second Modi government. 

Murmu's resignation

In a massive development, Jammu-Kashmir Lieutenant-Goverr GC Murmu, on Wednesday, has submitted his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind as per sources. Murmu was appointed at first L-G of UT of J&K on 31 October 2019, after state was bifurcated and its special status revoked on August 5, 2019. This move comes after Murmu's controversial comments on Assembly elections in Union Territory for which he was pulled up by Election Commission.

READ | Omar Abdullah says 'one year after Article 370 abrogation, Centre afraid to let us meet'

READ | J&K admin lifts curfew imposed in Srinagar on August 4, 5 after 'reviewing reports'