Jammu and Kashmir government said on Saturday that it would take up with the Union Home Ministry the issue of ban on prepaid mobile phones to ensure that genuine users do not suffer and security is also not compromised. "We will approach MHA and try to work out an arrangement where the genuine user doesn't suffer and security is not also compromised," an official spokesman said,terming the ban effective from Sunday as not a positive development. The ban came in the wake of reports that proper verification is not being done while providing such connections by the service providers/vendors raising security concerns. "It is a decision taken by the union government. We will monitor its impact on genuine users and take appropriate measures accordingly. It is not a positive development. Genuine user will have to face the brunt due to the lackadaisical attitude of the telecom companies which did not verify the antecedents of subscribers before issuing SIM cards," the spokesman said. The move will affect nearly 38 lakh pre-paid mobile phone subscribers in the state where Airtel has nearly 19 lakh subscribers followed by BSNL with 12 lakh and Aircel seven lakh.
