SRINAGAR: The Centre has authorised Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to exercise powers relating to the interception, suspension and decryption of telecom services in the Union Territory during public emergencies and incidents affecting public safety.
According to an official notification issued on Thursday, the President of India directed the Lieutenant Governor to exercise the powers and functions of the state government under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, within Jammu and Kashmir.
The provision empowers the administration to intercept messages, block transmissions, order decryption and suspend telecom services in the interest of national security, public safety or during a public emergency.
The notification, published in the Gazette of India, stated that the powers would be exercised by the Lieutenant Governor under Article 239(1) of the Constitution, subject to the control of the President and until further orders.
Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, deals with temporary restrictions and regulatory measures concerning telecom networks and services during emergencies or situations involving national security and public order.
