opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: VAJRA Scheme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, P.R. SUNDARAM, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3716 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9/08/2017

## VAJRA SCHEME

3716. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM: DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) the challenges faced by the Government in the implementation of the VAJRA scheme;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to overcome the difficulties in the implementation of the scheme;
- (c) whether there is any improvement in the related indices after the implementation of the scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  undertaking  any  other  policies  for  promoting  participation  of  NRIs  and overseas scientific community in research and development in India and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY  AND  MINISTER  OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI Y.S. CHOWDHARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched a 'Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme' to connect the Indian academic and research and development (R&D) systems to the best of global science and scientists for a sustained international collaborative research. The scheme was launched recently on pilot basis for initial 3-4 years with a target of enrolling 50-75 VAJRA Faculty per year. Call for applications has been made open from the prospective researchers at this stage. The challenges, if any, faced by the Government shall be known only once the scheme is implemented fully for atleast one complete cycle.
- (b) & (c):  Do not arise in view of (a) above.
- (d) The  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  has  structured  policy  frameworks  to  support  international scientific  and technological collaboration by building bilateral partnerships with selected countries across the globe, with the aim to provide value addition to various national programs and missions of the Government. The collaboration is promoted through various modes such as joint research projects; bilateral workshops and symposium;  multi-institutional  networked  R&D  projects;  establishing  virtual  joint  laboratories;  training programs; fellowships and visitation programs for both Indian and foreign researchers and students; promoting academia-industry  partnerships  for  industrial  R&D  on  bilateral  level.  These  propitious  policies  assist  in promoting participation of NRIs and overseas scientific community in research and development in India.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: CERT Response
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3714

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 09.08.2017

## CERT RESPONSE

## 3714 SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether as per in Rule 12 (a) of the Information Technology (The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules 2013,  there  are  two  different  standards  for  an  individual,  organisation  or  corporate entity  on  the  one  hand  and  intermediaries,  service  providers,  data  centre  and  body corporate on the other;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Government plans to strengthen this provision by introducing a specific period of time to enable better enforcement of the law.

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) and (b): The constituency of Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is Indian  cyber  community.  The  Information  Technology  (The  Indian  Computer  Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules, 2013 provide for reporting  of  incidents  based  on  the  severity  and  impact  of  the  incidents.  Rule  12  of  these Rules deals with reporting of incidents including mandatory reporting of certain incidents as early  as  possible.  While  everyone  is  expected  to  report  the  incidents,  there  are  additional obligations  on  certain  organisations  like  service  providers,  intermediaries,  data  centres  and body corporate which are considered to have larger impact on public or critical infrastructure. The Rules, nevertheless provide for mandatory reporting of the following kinds of incidents by all as early as possible to minimise the damage, namely:-

-  Targeted scanning/probing of critical networks/systems;
-  Compromise of critical systems/information;
-  Unauthorized access of IT systems/data;
-  Defacement of website or intrusion into a website and unauthorized changes such as inserting malicious code, links to external websites, etc.;
-  Malicious code attacks such as spreading of virus/worm/Trojan/botnets/spyware;
-  Attacks on servers such as database, mail, and DNS and network devices such as routers;
-  Identity theft, spoofing and phishing attacks;
-  Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks;
-  Attacks on critical infrastructure, (SCADA)  Supervisory Control And  Data Acquisition  systems and wireless networks;
-  Attacks on applications such as e-governance, e-commerce, etc.

(c) : While reporting of incidents is expected to be done as early as possible, the Rules are generic  in  nature.  Domain  specific  timelines  are  determined  by  the  specific  sectors.  For instance,  banks  have  already  been  mandated  to  report  cyber  security  incidents  to  Reserve Bank of India and CERT-In within two to six hours.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: War Museum in Manipur
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 3713

To be answered on

Wednesday, August 9, 2017/Shravana 18, 1939 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## War Museum in Manipur

3713.  SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:
2. Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has received any proposal from the Government of Japan to set up a War Museum in Manipur; (b) if  so, whether the Government has agreed to the said proposal and identified the place therefor; (c) if so, the details thereof; and Development
3. (d) the details of projects executed under the Hill Area Programmes during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

- (a) As of now, we have no formal proposal from Government of Japan regarding War Museum. Japan has established an India Peace Monument in Manipur in 1994. (b) Does not arise. (c) Does not arise.
- (d) The Hill Area Development Programme (HADP), which was dealt by erstwhile Planning  Commission, inter  alia covered  two  Hill  districts  of  Assam-then  North Cachar (now Dima Hasao) and Karbi Anglong.

Its  main  objective  was  to  ensure  ecologically  sustainable  socio-economic development of hill areas keeping in view the basic needs of local people. The total approved outlay comprised of 90% grant and remaining 10% as State Share. The programme was discontinued during the year 2014-15.

The  details  of  funds  released  during  2012-13,  2013-14  and  2014-15  to  the state of Assam is given below:

| Releases        | Releases        | Releases   |
|-----------------|-----------------|------------|
| 2012-13         | 2013-14         | 2014-15    |
| Rs. 74.39 crore | Rs. 99.19 crore | -          |

A pilot project in Manipur under HADP has been drawn up recently.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Give-it-up Campaign
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3712 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## GIVE-IT-UP CAMPAIGN

3712.  SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY: SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Railways  is  contemplating  on introducing voluntary give-it-up policy on subsidized rail tickets being provided to senior citizens and various other categories of passengers; and
- (b)   if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  &  (b):    An  option  is  already  available  for  senior  citizens  not  to avail senior citizen concession in passenger fare since many years. However,  with  effect  from  22.07.2017,  senior  citizen  passengers now  can  opt  to  give  up  50%  of  the  concession  in  addition  to  the existing option of giving up 100% concession.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: US Visa to Indian Citizens
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3711 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

US VISA TO INDIAN CITIZENS

3711. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Indian nationals who worked in Iraq, Libya and Syria would not be able to get US visa due to the strict visa norms introduced by the US Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken up this issue with the US Government; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWER (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

(a) & (b) No. There is no ban on Indian nationals working in Iraq, Libya and Syria or in any other country to obtain US visa.

(c) & (d) Do not arise. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Hotels Run by Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3708 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## HOTELS RUN BY RAILWAYS

3708. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  profit  and  loss  details  of  the  hotels  run  by  the  Railways during each of the last three years, location-wise; and
- (b) the  details  of  proposals  to  open  new  hotels  on  the  Railways' lands lying vacant for a long time to avoid encroachment?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3708 BY SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2017 REGARDING HOTELS RUN BY RAILWAYS

(a):  Presently,  four  (4)  hotels  are  owned  by  Indian  Railways.  These are  Rail  Yatri  Niwas  at  New  Delhi  &  Howrah  and  BNR  Hotels  at Ranchi  &  Puri.  These  hotels  were  handed  over  to  Indian  Railway Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation  Ltd.  (IRCTC)  on  'as  is  where  is basis'  in  August  2004  for  operation  and  management.  IRCTC  is running  these  railway  hotels  on  Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP) model.  IRCTC  charges  license  fee  and  fixed  user  charges  from  the Sub-Licensee.  The  details  of  Licence  fee  and  fixed  user  charges received in the last three years are as under:

| Sl.No.   | Hotel / Rail Yatri Niwas    | IRCTC Earning in Rupees   | IRCTC Earning in Rupees   | IRCTC Earning in Rupees   |
|----------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
|          |                             | 2014-15                   | 2015-16                   | 2016-17                   |
| 1        | Rail Yatri Niwas, New Delhi | 51,28,923                 | 54,85,377                 | 58,67,224                 |
| 2        | Rail Yatri Niwas, Howrah    | 36,46,781                 | 39,98,186                 | 44,32,459                 |
| 3        | BNR Hotel, Ranchi           | 1,63,45,029               | 1,71,43,180               | 1,16,34,307               |
| 4        | BNR Hotel, Puri             | 41,86,513                 | 46,46,494                 | 51,68,649                 |

(b): IRCTC has invited bids for construction, operation and maintenance  of  budget  Hotels  at  Khajuraho  and  Lucknow  on  land owned by IRCTC. IRCTC, Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and  Maharashtra  Tourism  Development  Corporation  (MTDC)  are discussing modalities of setting up a budget hotel at Sawantwadi.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: CSIR Patent
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3707 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017) CSIR PATENT

## 3707.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether CSIR spends huge amount on patents in its laboratories to take them to logical conclusion;
- (b) if so, the total patents filed during the last three years;
- (c) whether CSIR has sent a strong message to its laboratories to bear 25% of  expenditure  incurred  on  prosecution  and  maintenance  of  Indian patents and 50% of foreign patents to avoid indiscriminate filing; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  extent  to  which  this  step  of  the Government is likely to streamline patenting process in these laboratories?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a) During  the  year  2016-17,  CSIR  has  spent  Rs.  55  crore  on  filing  and maintenance of patents within the country and abroad.
- (b) The total number of patents filed during the last three year is as given below:
- (c)&(d) CSIR has decided to use intellectual property as an integral part of its knowledgebase marketing and overall business development strategy. In view  of  it  the  R&D  efforts  are  focused  at  developing  technological solutions,  which  are  focused  at  unmet  needs,  affordability,  availability and inclusivity. The developments would have thus local relevance, but global presence. This way CSIR would create global positioning for the country  in  the  knowledge  and  technology  space.  CSIR  laboratories  are taking the patent activity as participative endeavor in technology theme format. They own and share financial requirement for patents as part of CSIR's business strategy.

| YEAR    |   PATENTS FILED (INDIA) |   PATENTS FILED (ABROAD) |
|---------|-------------------------|--------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                     310 |                      456 |
| 2015-16 |                     325 |                      455 |
| 2016-17 |                     225 |                      307 |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3706 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: LHB Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3706 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## LHB COACHES

3706.   SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to replace all conventional coaches  with  the  light-weight  Linke  Hofmann  Busch  (LHB) coaches and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  allocation  of  LHB  coaches  to  various divisions of Railways are done;
- (c) the number of LHB coaches so far allotted to various divisions of Railways; and
- (d) the  number  of  LHB  coaches  put  into  service,  so  far,  in  the southern railway, which has the largest number  of 6,500 conventional coaches in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): No, Madam. However, it has been decided that the manufacture of conventional Integral Coach Factory (ICF) type coaches shall be stopped from 2018-19 onwards.

(b):  Allocation  of  Linke  Hofmann  Busch  (LHB)  coaches  to  various Zones of Indian Railways (IR) is being done to replace conventional coaches  of  important  Mail/Express  trains  by  LHB  coaches  in  a phased  manner  and  for  introduction  of  new  trains  also.    It  is  an ongoing process over IR subject to availability of coaches, maintenance facility, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) sanction, operational requirement etc.

(c) & (d): As per available coaching stock position as on 31.03.2017, more than 4600 LHB coaches were available with IR including 300 LHB coaches of Southern Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Indians Arrested in Middle East
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3704 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## INDIANS ARRESTED IN MIDDLE EAST

3704. SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)     the number of Indians arrested in relation with terrorist links in various Middle East countries;
- (b)     whether the Government is making any efforts to get them repatriated to India for trial; and
- (c)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

- (a)      As per information available with the Ministry, 29 Indians have been arrested for terrorist links in various Middle East countries.

(b) & (c)   Out of the 29 Indians referred to above, 16 have already been  deported  to  India  and  arraigned  as  accused  in  the  relevant cases. The Government of India is making all necessary efforts for repatriation of the remaining 13 Indian nationals.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: New Rail Line from Motihari to Sitamarhi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3702 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## NEW RAIL LINE FROM MOTIHARI TO SITAMARHI

†3702.  SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state :

(a) the status of laying of new rail line from Motihari to Sitamarhi via Sheohar;

(b) the date on which the survey of the said railway section has been conducted; and

(c) the outcome of the survey?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c):    The  Motihari-Sitamarhi  (78  km)  new  line  project  was included in supplementary Budget 2006-07 following completion of survey in the year 2005-06. However, execution of the project could not be taken up due to non acquisition of land.

In  the  meantime,  while  examining  the  detailed  estimate  of  the project, it has been decided to put the execution of this project on hold  in  view  of  available  railway  routes  in  the  adjoining  area  and negative rate of return of the project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3701 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Redevelopment of Koderma Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3701

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## REDEVELOPMENT OF KODERMA STATION

## †3701.  DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Koderma station (Dhanbad Division) which generates the revenue worth crores, still lacks the basic amenities and has not been included in the list of model stations till date;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  modernise  the  said station; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): Koderma station is an 'A' category station. All basic passenger amenities viz. Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS), Passenger Reservation  System  (PRS),  Enquiry  office,  Cloak  Room,  Waiting  room separately  for  ladies  and  gents,  Upper  class  waiting  Room,  Retiring Room, Dormitory, National Train Enquiry System (NTES), Signages, Auto Announcement  System,  Electronic  Train  Timing  Display  Board,  Coach Indication  board,  Book  stalls,  Foot  Over  Bridge  with  Ramp,  Fast  Food Unit, Modular Catering Stalls, Milk Stall, Bank Point-of-sale machine, Pay and  Use  Toilets,  Bank  Automated  Teller  Machines  (ATM),  Parking  etc. have already been provided at this station. This station has already been developed under Model and Modern station scheme. Further development of stations is a continuous and on-going process and works in  this  regard  are  undertaken  depending  upon  need,  volume  of  the passenger traffic and inter-se priority, subject to availability of funds.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3700

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 9 TH AUGUST, 2017

## Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

## 3700 KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the Minister is aware of the procedural hurdles imposed on investigations of cyber crimes due to need of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in most cases and if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps being taken by the Government in this regard;

(b) the guidelines developed  for cyber investigation in India with particular  emphasis  on  the  steps  taken  to  facilitate  and  ease  investigation when the concerned intermediaries and websites have headquarters outside India; and

(c) the  alternatives being considered to the MLAT to aid investigations and obtain cyber data in concerned cases?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  LAW & JUSTICE & ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (c):    As  per  the  information  received  from  the  National  Security Council Secretariat, the law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies in the country face severe problems in obtaining information/data relating to cyber crimes/frauds/terrorism from organizations storing related information on  ICT Infrastructure  installed  outside the  country.  Such  companies  deny information to the Government of India and its agencies on the pretext that such data,  which is  hosted  outside  the  country,  is  prohibited  to  be  shared under the existing Laws. The Government of India has been taking up the issue relating to exchange of information pertaining to cyber crime/frauds/security with other countries time and again.  Presently, certain metadata pertaining to cyber transactions which originates from India and belongs  to  India  is  only  shared  by  the  foreign  internet  companies  with Government and its agencies.

The  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  has  set  up  a  Committee  to  hold discussions  with  the  foreign  internet  companies  operating  in  India  or providing  service  in  India  for  exchange  of  metadata  and  sharing  of technologies for law enforcement purposes. In addition, the Government is in  continuous  dialogue  with  other  countries to  reform  and  streamline  the procedures relating to  Mutual Legal  Assistance  Treaty,  particularly where cyber cases are involved, for expeditious exchange of information.

***