(a) whether the Government have banned the import of CD-ROM, titled `Compton 1998 Encyclopaedia` on the ground that it wrongly depicted India`s boundaries with Pakistan, Afghanistan and China and contained objectionable textual references;
(b) if so, the details of the wrong information therein; and
(c) the circumstances in which the consignment was seized?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)
(a) Yes, sir.
(b) The CD-ROM in question was found to contain maps wherein the external boundaries of India with Pakistan, Afghanistan and China did not correspond with the published maps of Survey of India and in the text, efforts had been made to twist the facts on the issue of accession of Kashmir. Hence it was decided that the said Encyclopaedia in CD-ROM may not be permitted to be imported.
(c) The consignment was seized when the objectionable material was came to the notice of the Government during customs clearance.