Assocham proposes to set up National Data Bank

It said that data which is non-sensitive in nature could be used for scientific, economic and developmental purposes

Industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has offered to set up a National Data Bank containing information about electronic transactions, which can be used by the government for official purposes, like issuance of passports as well as protecting the country's strategic interests.

The industry body wrote identical letters in this regard to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the National Security Advisor.

The proposal involves creation of a Central Co-ordination Committee, under guidance of National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).

"A clear legal framework is required to legitimise the need for creating a National Data Bank of e-Information of classified and heritage documents for national archive which can be integrated with national information policy demarcating information into three broad categories including information in public domain; information to be used by Government agencies for official use only; and classified information," Assocham said in the letter.

The chamber pointed out that data which is non-sensitive in nature could be used by the public for scientific, economic and developmental purposes. It could be used for making accurate and immediate decisions invariably in large demographics for trend forecasting and taking immediate recourse in case of any civic decisions or exigency by various Ministries or Departments of Government of India.

The industry body noted the current regime of Big Data Management does not enable efficient, open sharing and interoperability of Government owned data with different inter and intra Government agencies.

"This calls for need of creating cyber National Data Bank of e-Information of classified heritage documents for National Archive with the aim to promote open data sharing and access to Government of India owned data for national planning, research, development and most importantly in the interest of national security," the chamber said.

The benefits of establishing the Data Bank include filtered and structured content ready to use by different agencies; non duplication of information of national importance and reduction of cost; quick and efficient decision-making in national interest; clear IPR and ownership of data and records; trend forecasting and demographic use of data; streamlining of procedures, etc.