Prepaid Mobile Connections to Be Banned in J&K

With a view to address serious security concerns, the central government has decided to impose a ban on prepaid mobile phone connections in Jammu and Kashmir from November 1.

According to government decision, no fresh prepaid mobile connection would be issued and existing prepaid SIM card renewed in the state after November 1.

The step will influence around 39 lakh prepaid mobile phone subscribers in the state.

The department of telecommunications was asked by the ministry to take appropriate action in the matter to implement the decision.

The move came following reports of the service providers/vendors not doing proper verification while providing such prepaid mobile connections came, a home ministry spokesperson said.

In some cases, a single person had been issued with multiple number of connections. The fake documents/identity numbers are also reportedly being used by the vendors particularly, in the case of pre-paid connections.

“This situation had given rise to serious security concerns. Hence, the decision,” he said.

During his visit to the state last fortnight home minister P Chidambaram had said the government has been making efforts to persuade prepaid subscribers to switch to postpaid connections due to security issues.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Airtel has nearly 19 lakh subscribers followed by BSNL having 12 lakh and Aircel having seven lakh.