Punjab Newsline | Jammu
The Central Government has authorised the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to exercise key powers related to telecommunications services in the Union Territory, including during situations involving public safety or national security concerns.
According to a notification issued on Thursday, the President has directed that the Lieutenant Governor, under Article 239 of the Constitution, will act on behalf of the state government in exercising powers under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 Telecommunications Act, 2023.
These powers include the ability to regulate or suspend telecom services, intercept signals, block communication, and order decryption of messages whenever required in the interest of public safety or during a national emergency.
The order states that the LG will exercise these powers under the supervision and control of the President until further notice.
Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening administrative response mechanisms in sensitive situations where communication networks may require regulation for security reasons.
