(a) the number of Internet subscribers in India at present;
(b) the likely increase in the number of subscribers in the coming years keeping in view the possibility of expansion of Internet;
(c) whether complaint regarding misuse of Internet by anti-social elements, criminals and anti-national elements have come to the notice of the Government; and
(d) if so, the measures being taken by the Government to check such activities?
MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a),(b),(c) and (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.323 FOR 16.08.2000 REGARDING INTERNET
SUBSCRIBER IN INDIA
(a): The number of internet subscribers in India is presently estimated at 14 lakhs.
(b): The number of subscribers for the country as a whole in the year 2002 is projected to be 38 lakhs.
(c): Yes, Sir. The Government has come across some press
reports in this regard.
(d): The various measures taken in this regard are:
i) The Information Technology Act, 2000 has been enacted. This Act has provisions to prevent misuse of computer and internet.
ii) Ministry of Information Technology has framed Information Technology Guidelines the draft of which has been put on the web for public comments. These guidelines will be finalised on receipt of the public comments.
iii) National Information Centre (NIC) has established a Secure Zone to protect the websites hosted on their network.