New mobile data plan for Naxal areas: 

New mobile data plan for Naxal areas: 

Context

• The Union Home Ministry is scrutinizing the proposed specifications for providing data connectivity services through mobile towers installed in the Left Wing Extremism-affected areas across 10 States.

Mobile connectivity scheme

• This is done in view of the possible security implications.
• Performed in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Department of Telecommunications has already got towers installed in over 2,000 sites during Phase-I of the mobile connectivity scheme in Naxal-affected districts.
• Concerns related to installation of towers and improved road and air connectivity were taken up during a review meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on May 8.
• It was attended by the Chief Ministers of six States, apart from Intelligence and security officials.
• The Phase-II of installation of mobile towers would soon be initiated.
• Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will also have sought an upgrade of the mobile communications.