Government today promised to ensure “non-discriminatory access to internet” to all citizens as members cutting across party lines in Rajya Sabha slammed TRAI for its consultation paper that sparked off a debate over net-neutrality. “Government stands for ensuring non-discriminatory access to internet for all citizens of the country…It is committed to the fundamental principles and concept of net neutrality, keeping the internet accessible and available to all without discrimination,” IT and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said while replying to a Calling Attention Motion.
“Connectivity to internet must go in an unhindered manner…I assure the House that the key principles of net neutrality will be followed while following concerns with a national outlook,” he said. Unlike the government-opposition clash during a debate on the issue in Lok Sabha when Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had raised it a fortnight back, the Upper House today saw an unanimity on the issue.