Govt clears consideration of private member’s bill on free internet

The government has cleared the consideration of a private member’s bill that seeks to grant every citizen the right to free internet access while ensuring equal access to people from backward and remote regions of the country.

“No citizen shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from accessing internet facilities,” the bill has proposed.

While the bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by CPI(M) member V Sivadasan in December 2023, according to a bulletin issued by the Upper House of Parliament, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has communicated to the Rajya Sabha secretary-general that the president has recommended the consideration of the bill to the House.