Delay in K-FON implementation, guidelines for eligibility released

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The implementation of KFON, which offers free internet to the poor and an internet network connected to government offices, will be delayed. The reason is the delay in preparing the list of those to be provided free internet service. While other infrastructure development works are being completed, the laying of lines to houses is yet to begin.

The proposal to provide the list of beneficiaries by August 20 was not implemented. The list should be provided by the local bodies. 100 people should be found in a constituency under the leadership of the MLA. In this way, 14,000 people will be eligible for this in the first phase. Once the list is received, steps will have to be taken including giving tender for the provision of facilities. Yesterday Minister for Local self-government MB Rajesh issued guidelines for selection of beneficiaries. However, no deadline has been set.

General guidelines

*100 families from each constituency.

*Selection on the basis of preference from one or more wards nearby the area of a local body as prescribed by the local MLA.

*Wards having K-FON connectivity and high SC/ST population should be considered.

* Preference given to BPL family with school students.

* Scheduled caste families with school students belonging to BPL category are the second.

* Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Caste families with college students belonging to BPL category third.

*All families belonging to BPL category, having school students and at least one member of the family having disability of 40 per cent or more will be considered fourth.

* BPL families belonging to other general category will be considered fifth.