We missed this earlier. In response to queries in the Lok Sabha on March 24, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad spoke about fiber cuts, and admitted certain shortcomings in the rollout of optic fiber cables in the country. Even so, Prasad struck a defensive note on the digital divide, arguing that "the country was kept going by the IT, mobile infrastructure" during the pandemic. Prasad was initially responding to Champaran Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Jaiswal. "Streets are laid, and cables get cut; irrigation systems are being installed, and cables get cut... This is a big problem in the entire country. I speak to chief ministers, our officers speak to chief secretaries. On Right of Way issues, all states have accepted that Right of Way will be recognized. The member is right that these problems shouldn't occur," Prasad said. "National Broadband Mission (NBM) was launched on 17th December, 2019 with a vision to enable fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide for digital empowerment and inclusion, and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all," Prasad said in a written response to the same question, which was also asked by Dhaurahra BJP MP Rekha Verma. Transcript of exchange What follows is an edited (and for Hindi segments, translated) transcript of the proceedings. Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP MP, West Champaran: Thank you Mr. Chairman. The National Broadband Mission is a very ambitious project announced by Prime Minister Modi from the Red Fort. My question…
