New Delhi, May 8: The Centre has authorised the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise emergency powers related to telecom services in the Union Territory under the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
According to an official notification issued by the Central Government, the President has directed that the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir shall exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the state government under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, until further orders.
The provision deals with situations involving public emergency and public safety, and empowers the authorised authority to take temporary control of telecommunication services and networks when required in the interest of national security or public order.
With the notification, the Lieutenant Governor has been empowered to order interception of messages, suspend telecom services, direct decryption of communications and block transmission of signals during emergencies or in the interest of public safety within the Union Territory.
The notification stated that the powers would be exercised “subject to the control of the President” under Article 239 of the Constitution.
Officials said the move aligns the Union Territory’s administrative framework with provisions of the Telecommunications Act, which came into force in phases after being enacted in 2023.
Section 20 of the Act authorises the Central Government, State Governments or specially authorised officers to temporarily take possession of telecom services or networks during public emergencies, including disaster management situations, or in the interest of public safety.
The development assumes significance in Jammu & Kashmir, where telecom restrictions and internet suspensions have previously been imposed during periods of security concerns, law and order situations and natural disasters.
