Special Correspondent
Panaji: Following government directives, the electricity department has instructed its staff to suspend the cutting, dismantling, or disconnection of cables providing internet or television services until further notice. The directive aims to ensure uninterrupted access to essential online services, which remains the department’s priority.
Chief Engineer of the electricity department, Stephen Fernandes, said that the order is not new. “We had already instructed our staff to halt cable cutting,” he said. “We cannot take abrupt action to disconnect cables, as it would disrupt essential services, impacting businesses, education, banking, and nearly every sector,” he added.
Fernandes stated that somebody in the past had erred by allowing internet service providers (ISPs) and cable operators to install their wires on electric poles. Over time, the number of such wires has multiplied, he added. He acknowledged that while a department staffer took a decision to cut these cables, it was essential to strike a balance between duty and responsibility, considering the state’s reliance on online services.
The Chief Engineer said that the department cut the cables due to safety, technical, legal, and financial concerns. However, he said that the move disrupted students preparing for their exams. He also noted that the government intervened to halt the wire-cutting exercise, as online activities have become crucial and disruptions were affecting public services.
Fernandes said that the electricity department is not giving financial relief to the ISPs and cable operators, but relief in terms of time. “They are ready to pay the rent for using the electricity poles, however the related guidelines are absent,” he informed, stating that the guidelines need to be framed, including identification of every cable.
The department is presently collecting data about ISPs and cable operators. It will review the pole rent as well as the linked penalty and put up a proposal related to this matter before the government soon.
Fernandes stated that a committee has been set up which will prepare the proposal within a month.
