As citizens of this country, we have some basic rights like food, water and education.
Recently, the people of Kerala were bestowed upon with another right when the Kerala High Court held that access to internet is also one of the fundamental rights.
Last year, the state government promised to provide internet access to around 20 lakh families either at a subsidised rate or free of cost. According to reports, the state cabinet has now approved the scheme.
Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac tweeted about this development.
Internet connection made a basic a citizen right. Kerala cabinet gives final nod for ₹1548 crores Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON)Project to provide Internet to every household in the state. For 20 lakh BPL households it will be free. The project to be completed by Dec 2020.
— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) November 7, 2019
A new optical fibre network, K-FON will be developed parallel to the existing Kerala State Electricity Board network at an estimated cost of ₹1,000 crore.
This will ensure broadband connectivity to every household. The Kerala government also plans to install WiFi hotspots at several public places.
It should be noted that Kerala is the first Indian state to take such an initiative.
Only a handful of other countries like Finland, Estonia, France, Spain, Greece and Costa Rica have declared the internet as a basic human right.
This is not the first time Kerala has set an example for other Indian states. It has always been ahead when it comes to literacy and women empowerment.
