Ban on pre-paid mobile connections in Jammu and Kashmir leaves many jobless

Srinagar, Nov 3: The Union Home Ministry’s decision to ban pre-paid mobile service in Jammu and Kashmir from November 1, has resulted in complete chaos as thousands of people who were associated with the industry have been rendered jobless in the State.

Earlier, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had decided not to issue fresh pre-paid mobile connections in Jammu and Kashmir on account of security concerns. And as per the policy the existing pre-paid SIM cards were banned in the State on November 1.

Gulzar Ahmed, a recharge coupon seller said, 'Nearly 300 to 350 employees used to work in my company. Yesterday, the management said that only three people were required to report on duty today. Agency is saying how will they pay from their pocket if there is no work.'

While, Mudasir, another recharge coupon dealer, said that around 20 to 30 thousand people associated with this profession would be affected by the Home Ministry's decision.

'Look we don't have to see the employment of one man. Around 20 to 30 thousand people were associated with this profession. Some people got married and their whole families are affected,' Mudasir said.

He wants the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to raise the issue with the Home Ministry.

Mobile services were started in the Kashmir valley a few years ago. It is estimated that there will be business loss of around Rs 3 billion in the State as out of the 45 million connections, 3.9 million connections are pre-paid.

The Ministry had even asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action in the matter for implementation of the decision.

The step came in the wake of the reports that proper verification was not being done while providing such pre-paid mobile connections by the service providers/vendors.

In some cases, a single person had been issued with multiple number of connections. Fake documents/identity numbers were also reportedly being used by the vendors particularly, in the case of pre-paid connections. This situation had given rise to serious security concerns.

--ANI