The new
telecom bill
was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday (December 18). The bill was introduced in the lower house by Communications Minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw
amid din over Opposition demanding statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach issue. Among other things the
Telecom Bill 2023
allows the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in the interest of national security.
When can government take over telecom services
According to the Telecommunications Bill 2023, the Centre will take temporary possession of the telecom network in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety. The bill proposes to stop transmission and intercept messages in case of public emergency, in the interest of the public, to prevent incitement for committing offence etc.
"On the occurrence of any public emergency, including disaster management, or in the interest of public safety, the central government or a state government or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by the central government or a state government, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, by notification—take temporary possession of any telecommunication service or telecommunication network from an authorised entity," the bill said.
“Direct that any message or class of messages, to or from any person or class of persons, to or from any telecommunication equipment or class of telecommunication equipment, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication service or telecommunication network, shall not be transmitted, or shall be intercepted or detained, or shall be disclosed in intelligible format to the officer mentioned in such order; or direct that any telecommunication service or class of telecommunication services to or from any person or class of persons, to or from any telecommunication equipment or class of telecommunication equipment, or relating to any particular subject, transmitted or received by any telecommunication service or telecommunication network, shall be suspended."
“The Central government may, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of national security, friendly relations with foreign states, or in the event of war, by notification take such measures as are necessary in the circumstances of the case, including issuing directions in respect of the -- use of telecommunication equipment, telecommunication services, telecommunication network and telecommunication identifiers; standards applicable to manufacture, import and distribution of telecommunication equipment; standards to be adopted by authorised entities or assignees; procurement of telecommunication equipment and telecommunication services only from trusted sources; suspension, removal or prohibition of the use of specified telecommunication equipment and telecommunication services from countries or person as may be notified; or taking over the control and management of, or suspending the operation of, or entrusting any authority of the Central Government to manage any or all of any telecommunication services, or any telecommunication network or part thereof, connected with such telecommunication services."
According to the Telecom Bill 2023, the press messages meant for publication in India of correspondents accredited to the Centre or state governments shall not be intercepted or detained unless their transmission has been prohibited under rules applicable for public emergency, public order etc.
English (US) ·