Lok Sabha Question No. 4130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Regulations on Geospatial Data and Maps
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4130

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19/03/2021

## REGULATIONS ON GEOSPATIAL DATA AND MAPS

## 4130. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY वान और ौयोगक मंी be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  liberalized  regulations  on  geospatial data  and  maps  to  achieve  a  $5  trillion  economy  and  the  vision  of Atmanirbhar Bharat, if so, the details and the impact thereof;
- (b)     the manner in which deregulating Geospatial data is going to benefit the country;
- (c)     whether there will be an increase in public private partnerships with the  opening  of  this  sector  with  data  collection  companies  and  the Government  working  together  on  various  sectoral  projects,  if  so,  the
- details thereof;
- (d)      the  percentage  growth  likely  to  be  observed  in  GDP  due  to  the horizontal, wide-spread and all pervasive benefits of geospatial technologies in the near future;
- (e)     whether the 'Guidelines for Acquiring and producing Geospatial Data and Geospatial Data services including Maps' have been notified and if so, the relevant law thereof along with the consequences of non-compliance
- with these guidelines; and
- (f)      whether it is a fact that India relies heavily on foreign resources for mapping  technologies and services  and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी , वान और ौयोगक मंी और पृवी वान मंी .

डॉ हष वधन

- (a)     Government of India has liberalized regulations on Geo-spatial data and  maps  so  as  to  facilitate  availability  of  the  data  and  the  modern mapping  technologies  to  Indian  companies,  which  is  one  of  the  crucial factors  for  achieving  India's  policy  aim  of Atmanirbhar  Bharat and  the vision for a five trillion-dollar economy.

(b)       The  guidelines  encourages   all  agencies  dealing  with  production  of Geo-spatial  Data  and  information  to  collaborate  in  a  mutually  beneficial manner so  as  to  work  towards  open-linked  Geo-spatial  Data  to  greatly enhance improved planning and management of the existing resources for the benefit of the specific needs of the country resulting in an increase in the private investments as well as creation of employment opportunities.

(c)       As  per  the  guidelines,  Indian  Entities,  whether  in  Government  or outside,  will  be  free  to  acquire,  collect,  generate,  prepare,  disseminate, store, share, publish, distribute, update, digitize and/or create Geo-spatial Data, including Maps, of any spatial accuracy within the territory of India including underwater within its territorial waters by using any Geo-spatial Technology, subject to regulations on attributes in the negative lists. This is  likely  to  foster  closer  working  relation  between  public  and  private enterprises.

(d)    It  is  aimed  to  have  a  great  impact  in  the  growth  prospect  of infrastructure and other allied sectors as location based information is an integral part of the modern digital ecosystem and is critical for unlocking economic,  social  and environmental opportunities for a sustainable growth and development of the country. The studies available elsewhere in  the  developed  world  have  shown  significant  impact  of  use  of  Geospatial technologies in their GDP growth.

(e)    The  'Guidelines  for  acquiring  and  producing  Geo-spatial  Data  and Geo-spatial  Data  Services  including  Maps'  have  been  issued  on  15th February,  2021  by  the  Department  of  Science  &  Technology;  being  the nodal Department as per the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.  Any violation of these guidelines will be dealt with under the applicable laws.

(f)    The Guidelines have been issued for liberalising the mapping industry and democratization of existing datasets for spurring domestic innovation and enabling Indian companies  to compete  in the global  mapping ecosystem by leveraging modern Geo-spatial technologies with the intent to enhance and improve planning and management of resources so as to serve the specific needs of the Indian population.

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