THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Terming internet accessibility as ‘citizen’s right’, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Friday announced that free internet connection would be provided to 20 lakh poor families. For others, internet service will be provided at a lower rate. “Almost all government transactions will become IT-based in the current fiscal. Thus, the right for basic internet facility will become a prerequisite for providing civic services universally through electronic medium,” the minister said.
K-FON for internet
The budget also proposes to set up a new optic fibre pathway, Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON), within 18 months to provide universal basic internet facility across the state. The new pathway will be created in parallel to the KSEB electric power network. It can be made available to each home through KSEB. The minister said basic internet facility would be provided to people free of cost for a specific period using mobile and computer equipment through K-FON.