It said the service provided Internet access to more than a million people who were not previously connected.

On the other hand, "net neutrality" means that governments and internet service providers treat all data on the internet equally and, therefore, not differentially charge users, content, platforms, sites, applications or mode of communication.

"This isn't about Facebook's commercial interests - there aren't even any ads in the version of Facebook in Free Basics".

Industry body The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), whose members include Facebook, Google and other Internet companies, has voiced against platforms like Free Basics that can lead to creation of different prices of Net based on content or websites people want to access.

If Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is to have its way with Free Basics, it will have to address all the net neutrality concerns already raised.

Facebook has mounted an aggressive campaign for Free Basics after a similar initiative known as Internet.org was stalled after a fierce backlash from those who believe that the programme violates net neutrality. He said the authority has received 8.9 lakh responses supporting Free Basics where the respondents have just given their mobile number whereas 5.44 lakh comments are received through Facebook mail.

Telecom service provider Etisalat Egypt which is Facebook's partner started providing Free Basics service two months ago, and Facebook says more than 3 million people in Egypt have signed up.

Facebook told the Associated Press it was working to resolve the situation.

Free Basics, which Facebook is promoting with double-page newspaper advertisements for days as also through TV, billboards and online forums, is being seen in many quarters as being against the basic principles of Net Neutrality. It was not immediately clear why the service was shut down.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder, however says that the service can change lives and is aimed at fighting poverty and boosting education.

"Instead of recognizing the fact that Free Basics is opening up the whole internet, they continue to claim - falsely - that this will make the internet more like a walled garden", Zuckerberg wrote, in an op-ed for the Times of India.

Any decision on differential pricing and zero rating made after the expiry of the deadline for submitting comments would impact Free Basics as well.