NEW DELHI, May 7: The Centre has delegated key emergency powers related to telecom operations in Jammu and Kashmir to the Lieutenant Governor, enabling the administration to take swift action during public safety crises and national emergencies.
The decision was announced through an official gazette notification issued on Thursday, stating that the President has authorised the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory to exercise powers assigned to the state government under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
The provision empowers authorities to intervene in telecom services whenever situations involving public safety, security threats or emergency conditions arise. Under these powers, the administration can order interception of communications, suspend telecom networks, direct decryption of messages and block transmission of signals if deemed necessary in the interest of national security or public order.
The notification clarified that the authority has been granted under Article 239(1) of the Constitution and will remain in force until further orders from the President. The Lieutenant Governor will exercise these responsibilities under the supervision and control of the President.
Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring quicker administrative response during extraordinary circumstances where communication networks may require monitoring or temporary restrictions to maintain law and order.
The Telecommunications Act, 2023, introduced by the Centre to modernise telecom regulations, includes provisions allowing governments to take emergency measures involving telecom infrastructure during crises. With the latest notification, these powers in Jammu and Kashmir will now be directly handled by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration.