ITANAGAR, 22 Sep: Governor KT Parnaik on Tuesday underscored that reliable communication infrastructure has become an essential requirement for development and governance.
During a meeting with BSNL East Zone Telecom Circle Chief General Manager (CGM) Ramashray Prasad at the Lok Bhavan here, the governor said that modern education, including smart classrooms and digital learning platforms, depends on uninterrupted internet connectivity.
"Similarly, the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system, online scholarship disbursement, telemedicine services, digital banking, and financial transactions of self-help groups require dependable telecom networks to function effectively," he said.
Drawing from his extensive interactions with people during his tours across the state, Parnaik said that poor or inconsistent network connectivity remains one of the most frequently raised concerns by villagers, students, government officials and entrepreneurs. He noted that in several remote locations, weak network signals and slow internet speeds continue to hamper access to essential services, delay communication and limit economic opportunities. He emphasised that "connectivity today is not merely a convenience but a critical enabler of education, healthcare, governance, financial inclusion, and livelihood generation."
To accelerate network expansion, the governor advised the BSNL to maintain close coordination with district administrations and the departments concerned while laying optical fibre networks and establishing telecom infrastructure.
He expressed confidence that strengthened connectivity would bridge distances, improve service delivery, empower citizens and contribute significantly to the vision of a developed and digitally connected Arunachal Pradesh.
Emphasising the BSNL's role as a public sector enterprise, the governor stated that the organisation carries a significant responsibility in ensuring equitable access to communication services, particularly in underserved and remote regions where private operators may have limited presence.
The CGM briefed the governor on the progress of installation of communication networks, and the challenges being faced by the service provider. He acknowledged the difficulties being faced by the users, and agreed to attend to them on priority.
It was decided to hold a coordination conference among the state government, the armed forces and the BSNL team to iron out problems and find ways to meet the communication requirements of the state and the armed forces.
BSNL NE-II Circle Principal General Manager Dilip Siram, Principal General Manager Paritosh Kr Shah, and Itanagar BSNL Deputy General Manager SLP Vaiphei were also present at the meeting. (Lok Bhavan)
