The Andhra Pradesh government headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday launched the prestigious AP Fiber Grid project in the hands of President Ramnath Kovind.
The project is aimed at providing internet (of the speed of 15 mbps to 100 mbps), free telephone services and 250 plus television channels at a nominal rate of Rs 149 per month to every household.
On the face of it, it is an excellent facility being extended to the people in every nook and corner of the state.
However, the opposition parties are fearing that there is a political agenda behind launching the project so hurriedly.
According to a YSR Congress party leader, the entire television and cable network will come under the control of the Naidu government and there is every possibility that it will prevent the voice of the Opposition reaching the people.
“Hereafter, the people of Andhra Pradesh will be able to see only Naidu, his party programmes and government programmes on the channels, since they are under the control of AP Fibre Limited, a government-owned company. So, the government can deny the people an opportunity to listen to the voice of Jagan or see his party activities, his speeches and press conferences,” a leader said.
The government sources, however deny the allegations.
“It is only a facility being provided by the government and not a channel by itself. The government cannot control the programmes being telecast by private channels. The same programmes being telecast by the private channels can be viewed normally and there is no censorship or blackout of Jagan programmes,” an official source said.
