(a) whether the Government have sought comments from various
businessmen, associations in regard to the law relating to the
right of police to raid the premises of Infotech firms;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government are contemplating to make a law to
curb misuse of Infotech networks;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a),(b),(c),(d) and (e): The Lok Sabha has passed the
Information Technology Bill, 1999 on 16th May, 1999. The Bill
empowers a police officer not below the rank of Deputy
Superintendent of Police and other officers of the Central
Government or State Government authorized by Central Government
in this behalf to enter in public place and search and arrest
without warrant any person found therein who is reasonably
suspected of having committed or being about to commit any
offence under this Act. The Bill also provides penalties and
compensations for misuse of Infotech networks. Copies of the
Bill have been sent to all State Governments, High Courts,
industries associations and IT companies in the country. The
Bill is also available on the website of the Ministry of
Information Technology. The comments received from different
organizations and industries associations have been sent for the
consideration of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science
and Technology and Environment & Forest. The legislation when
enacted would curb misuse of Infotech networks and prevent
computer crime and computer misuse.