Centre Empowers J&K LG to Control Telecom Services During Emergencies

NEW DELHI, May 7: The Centre has authorised the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise powers related to telecom services, including interception of signals, suspension of services, and decryption of messages during public safety events or national emergencies, according to an official notification issued on Thursday.

The order states that the President has directed the LG to exercise the powers and functions of the state government under Sub-Section 20 (2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which deals with situations involving public safety and national security within the Union Territory.

“In pursuance of clause (1) of Article 239 of the Constitution, the President hereby directs that the administrator of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, exercise these powers,” the notification published in the gazette said.

Under these provisions, the LG can block transmission, intercept communications, order decryption of messages, and suspend telecom services in the event of a public emergency or in the interest of public safety. (Agencies)