A joint secretary level officer authorised by Union or state home secretary can order suspension of telecom services in an area in case of an emergency, according to new guidelines. The Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency and Public Safety) Rules, 2017, notified by the government last week, authorises Union and state home secretary to order such suspension in a given area. The government often suspends telecom services in disturbed areas with an aim to maintain law and order in a state or in the country. According to the rules, a copy of any order issued for suspension of telecom services needs to be forwarded to a three-member review committee within 24 hours along with the associated reason. In the case of centre, the committee will be chaired by the Cabinet secretary and the state level review committee will be headed by chief secretary of the state.

Source: dna August 13, 2017 06:11 UTC