Opposition leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed strong disapproval of the recent decision to enhance the powers of Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha over the telecommunications sector. Tariq Hameed Karra, the J&K Congress chief, described the move as a significant setback to democratic governance, highlighting that it allows the unelected L-G to exercise control over crucial aspects such as Internet shutdowns and communication interception. He criticized the central government for concentrating authority away from the elected representatives, despite promises of restoring trust and empowering local institutions. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary echoed these sentiments, cautioning against the implications of such centralized powers. The Union government has vested the L-G with authority under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, allowing for actions in public safety emergencies, which has raised alarms about potential overreach and lack of accountability in a region already familiar with communication clampdowns.