The BJP on Monday welcomed the decision of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) against discriminatory pricing of data content, saying it will give a strong impetus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a 'Digital India'.
In a statement issued by Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the party said the decision was an expression of popular will and it will give a strong impetus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a Digital India.
"The BJP wholeheartedly welcomes the TRAI decision on differential pricing. The decision is a clear expression of popular will. The decision is fully in line with the BJP-led NDA government's vision of open and fair Internet and support to net neutrality, which it has reiterated time and again, on the floor of the parliament and outside," the statement said.
The statement said the National Democratic Alliance government ensured unparalleled transparency in the entire issue of net neutrality.
"The BJP is confident that today's decision will give a strong impetus to PM Modi's dream of a Digital India. The party notes with joy that this decision was taken after extensive consultations between various stakeholders across the spectrum," the statement said.
The party also attacked the Congress, saying it sought to mislead the people and stood exposed.
"The Congress tried its best to create an atmosphere of distrust and fear while the process was going on and in the process made a deplorable attempt to mislead the people for the sake of petty politics. Today they stand completely exposed," the statement said.
It said the government made sure proper processes were followed at all levels "which eventually led to the victory of an open and equal Internet".
The telecom watchdog on Monday said no to discriminatory pricing of data content in a move seen as an endorsement of net neutrality and a setback to offerings such as Facebook's Free Basics and Airtel Zero.
