Opposition leaders caution against granting L-G enhanced powers over telecom in J&K

J&Ok Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday (Could 10, 2026) termed the current transfer to boost Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha’s powers in the Union Territory’s telecommunications sector as “one other dent on the democratic governance mechanism of the elected authorities in J&Ok”.

“The choice handy sweeping telecom powers, together with Web shutdowns, interception, blocking of communication networks, and decryption authority to the unelected energy hall of Jammu & Kashmir is yet one more dent on the democratic governance mechanism of the elected authorities in J&Ok,” Mr. Karra, J&Ok Pradesh Congress Committee president and legislator from Srinagar, mentioned.

Mr. Karra mentioned for years, guarantees have been made about restoration of belief, democratic empowerment and strengthening of establishments in J&Ok. “However such strikes solely reinforce the sensation that regardless of an elected setup, actual authority continues to stay concentrated elsewhere,” mentioned the Congress chief.

Nationwide safety and public security are essential, he mentioned, “However extraordinary powers with out democratic accountability in a area that has already suffered repeated communication clampdowns increase severe coverage considerations.”

“Democracy can’t be restored politically whereas governance continues to be centralised administratively,” Mr. Karra mentioned.

J&Ok Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was additionally crucial of the Centre’s transfer. “Handing over telecommunication to the L-G is yet one more step — let’s see what they do. We have now seen many such strikes earlier than, and other people know nicely what was performed throughout their reign,” Mr. Choudhary mentioned.

Just a few days in the past, the Union authorities vested the L-G with powers to behave below the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 in conditions regarding public security and emergencies J&Ok.

Authorised to carry out features of the State authorities below Part 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the order enabled the L-G administration to challenge instructions for interception of communication, monitoring telecom providers, and quickly suspending transmission the place permitted below regulation.