The government has introduced new rules at the state level at the state level on the phone blocking the phone to the officers of Inspector General of Police to issue an interception order during the emergency. These orders should obtain confirmation from the competent authority – either with the Union Home Secretary or the Home Department Secretary of the State – seven working days. If not confirmed, the intercept messages should be destroyed within two working days, as mentioned in a notification from the Department of Telecommunications on 6 December.
Provision for Remote and Operational Challenges
The notification stated that in the scenarios where the competent authority cannot issue a blockage order due to distance or operational obstacles, the responsibility may fall for the head of the authorized agency or to another senior person. At the state level, this officer should not rank less than the Inspector General of Police, while at the central level, equivalent rank applies. The Union Home Secretary (Home Ministry) will serve as a competent authority for the Central Government, and the Home Department will work in this role for the state governments.
Compulsory Review and Inspection
To ensure accountability, all blocking orders must be submitted to a review committee within seven working days of confirmation. At the central level, this committee will be led by the Cabinet Secretary as members with Law Secretary and Telecom Secretary. At the state level, the Chief Secretary will lead the committee, joined the State Law Secretary and Home Secretary. The purpose of the new rules is to balance operational efficiency in emergency situations with tight inspection and accountable measures.
