(a) whether efforts are being made by the Government for
expanding, stabilising and standardising E-Commerce in the
country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have proposed to introduce any other
technology to make E-Commerce more comfortable;
(d) if so, the steps taken in that direction; and
(e) the cities identified to introduce E-check?
MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): While the Government acts primarily as a facilitator, various
measures taken in this regard are given below:-
i. Information Technology Act, 2000 has been enacted. The Act
provides a legal framework for recognition of electronic
contracts, prevention of computer crimes, electronic
filling/documents and legalizes digital signature. A Controller of
Certifying Authorities to facilitate the implementation of the Act
has already been appointed by the Government.
ii. Internet Service Providers` Policy (ISP) has been implemented.
ISPs are allowed to set up International Gateways independent of
VSNL. These ISPs are also allowed to hire international bandwidth
on foreign saellite.
iii. Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has
set up a Wide Area Satellite/terrestrial based network -
called the Indian Financial Network (INFINET) - for secure, safe
and efficient transfer of messages/funds transfers across a closed
user group comrising of banks and other institutions in the
financial sector.
The message formats for usage across the INFINET has also been
finalised.
iv. Electronic Data Interchange Network is being set up for
message exchange for international trade between Customs, Ports,
Airports, Apparel Export Promotion Councils, Banks and Directorate
General of Foreign Trade.
iv. To promote e-commerce, a set of R&D projects and test-bed
applications has been supported by the Government.
(c) and (d): Technologies need to ensure that e-commerce
transactions take place in a safe, secure manner with due security
while the data is transmitted over the net. Technologies are,
therefore, continuously evolving to address the changing needs of
e-commerce.
(e): A pilot project has been initiated by Institute for
Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), Hyderabad
for developing protocols for e-cheques to be issued by a single
bank and used on the internet.