Recently, during the budget session in Kerala, its Finance Minister Thomas Issac announced free internet connections to 20 lakh citizens. Having said that, Internet access has been declared a basic right just like water, food, and education for each and every Kerala citizen.
As per the Finance Minister, this move falls in line with UN, which said that all people must have access the Internet to practice their right to express and opinion.
Project named as K-Fon, the government is planning to lay optic fiber cable just next to Kerala State Electricity board (KSEB). Moreover, the government wants to implement broadband to all households and Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas and joints. The so-called K-Fon is expected to be completed in 18 months with the budget of Rs. 1,000 crore.
Finance Minister, Mr Issac said:
Internet will now become a right for the people and within 18 months the internet gateway would be set up through the K phone network at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.
It is estimated that by 2017-18, almost all government transactions will become IT-based. Thus the right to basic Internet facility will become a prerequisite for providing civic services universally through the electronic medium.