Government gives green light for consideration of private member’s bill on free internet

New Delhi: The government has approved the consideration of a Private Member’s Bill that seeks to give every citizen the right to free internet access while ensuring equal access to people from backward and remote regions of the country. “No citizen shall be liable to pay any kind of fee, charge or expense which may prevent him or her from accessing internet facilities,” the Bill reads. Though the Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by CPI(M) member V Sivadasan in December 2023, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia informed the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha that the President has recommended consideration of the Bill to the House, according to a bulletin issued by the Upper House of Parliament.

Private Members’ Bills relating to expenditure from the Treasury require the approval of the President through the relevant ministry, subject to whether such Bills can be considered by the House.


The bill states that every citizen has the right to free access to the Internet. The competent authority, while ensuring universal access to the Internet for all citizens, must take special measures to ensure that citizens from backward and remote regions of the country have equal access to the Internet.

The bill seeks to expand the scope of the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression granted to all citizens of the country by making the internet freely accessible to all. The bill also aims to bridge the digital divide in society.

It states that the Constitution makes the right to freedom of expression a fundamental right for all citizens. Therefore, citizens must have access to the Internet to exercise and enjoy their right to freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights.

It states that the central government must provide direct access to the Internet to all citizens or fully subsidize the services provided by any service provider so that all citizens have access to the Internet.

It is also proposed that the Centre make funds available to the states in the form of revenue support grants to enable them to implement the provisions of the Act.Whatsapp banner

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