The Indian government on August 30, 2012 lifted the ban on the bulk SMSs and MMSs with immediate effect. The ban was lifted a day before the stipulated deadline of August 31, 2012.
The ban was imposed by the telecom ministry on the direction of the home ministry for 15 days on August 17, 2012. The restriction was later reviewed on August 24, 2012 when the telecom ministry increased the limit from five SMSs to 20 SMSs. The government had imposed a ban on the bulk SMSs as there was a fear that the SMSs would lead to the spread of rumours leading to exodus of people from the Northeast.
