The Indian government has expanded the authority of the Lieutenant Governor in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, giving him wider control over telecom services in the region.
According to Beyond Time News, the decision strengthens administrative powers in the territory and reduces the role of the elected local government in key security-related matters.
New Telecom Powers Assigned to LG
The central government issued a notification authorising Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to exercise powers under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
This section allows authorities to regulate telecom services on grounds such as national security, public order, and sovereignty.
As a result, the Lieutenant Governor can now oversee decisions related to interception of communication, surveillance, decryption, suspension of services, and blocking of networks during emergencies.
Concerns Over Reduced Role of Elected Government
The move further limits the authority of the elected government in the region. Law and order powers, including security-related matters, already fall under the control of the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Observers say this latest step continues a trend of centralising power in the region since 2019, when major constitutional changes were introduced.
Civil Society Raises Questions
Activist Geeta Seshu of the Free Speech Collective said the decision shows little regard for the elected administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
She noted that while telecom laws allow both central and state governments to authorise such powers, the new arrangement effectively bypasses the elected government structure.
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Political Debate Over Governance Structure
Political analysts say the development highlights the limited role of the elected government in the region, where key administrative and security decisions remain under central control.
They also argue that the latest move further strengthens the position of the Lieutenant Governor in governance matters.
Continued Centralisation of Authority
Since the constitutional changes in August 2019, administrative control in the region has gradually shifted towards the central government.
With this latest notification, authorities have added more responsibilities to the Lieutenant Governor’s office, particularly in sensitive areas like telecommunications and security management.
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