Govt may review provisions of draft Geospatial Bill

Facing criticism, the government today indicated that it was ready for review of the provisions of a draft bill that proposes jail term of seven years and a fine upto Rs 100 crore if anyone wrongly depicts India's map.
A top Home Ministry official said the draft 'The Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016' has been made public seeking views and suggestions of general public on its various provisions.
"We are open to consider all suggestions that will come in next one month," the official said.
According to the draft 'The Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016', it will be mandatory to take permission from a government authority before acquiring, disseminating, publishing or distributing any geospatial information of India.

"No person shall depict, disseminate, publish or distribute any wrong or false topographic information of India including international boundaries through internet platforms or online services or in any electronic or physical form.
"Whoever acquired any geospatial information of India in contravention of the law shall be punished with a fine ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 100 crore and/ or imprisonment for a period upto seven years," according to the draft bill.

The government also proposed to set up a Security Vetting Authority to carry out security vetting of the Geospatial Information of India in a time bound manner and as per the regulations framed by an apex committee.

However, there have been criticism from various quarters saying the provisions of the draft bill are stringent and may violate privacy of individuals.
The Home Ministry official discounted the apprehensions saying except authorised agencies, that too after due permission, no one can invade anyone's privacy.
Geospatial Information means geospatial imagery or data acquired through space or aerial platforms such as satellite, aircrafts, airships, balloons, unmanned aerial vehicles including value addition or graphical or digital data depicting natural or man-made physical features, phenomenon or boundaries of the earth or any information related thereto including surveys, charts, maps, terrestrial photos referenced to co-ordinate system and having attributes.