Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir gets hold of new powers in a latest development whereas the elected government still reels behind as a subordinate as the major powers rest with the LG.
The Centre has authorised the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise powers related to interception, decryption and suspension of telecom services in the Union Territory during public emergencies or in the interest of public safety, according to an official notification issued on Thursday.
The notification, published in the Gazette of India, said the President has directed the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the state government under Sub-Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
“In pursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution, the President hereby directs that the administrator (whether known as the lieutenant governor) of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the state government under Sub-Section (2) of Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 within the said Union territory,” the notification stated.
Under the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, the powers can be exercised in situations involving public emergency, public safety, or national security concerns.
The order authorises the J&K LG to direct interception of messages or calls, permit decryption of communications, suspend telecom services and block transmission of signals during such situations.
J&K’s LG remains the bigger authority in the UT
The Council of Ministers has the power to propose transfer and posting of officers but the final say still rests with the LG. Nothing would happen without the concurrence of the LG’s Office.
LG Manoj Sinha holds overriding authority, especially on law and order, finance, and major policy decisions.
