Lok Sabha Question No. 4050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Restriction on Cross-border Data Flow
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4050. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE  18 TH   MARCH, 2020.

## RESTRICTION ON CROSS-BORDER DATA FLOW

## 4050.  SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  working  on  the  e-commerce  and  new  industrial policies for setting up a legal and technological framework for restrictions on cross-border data flow and laid certain conditions on processing the sensitive data locally and storing it abroad;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the aims and objectives of the said policies;
- (c) the  time  by  which  the  said  policies  are  likely  to  be  implemented  by  the Government;
- (d) whether the Government has held any meeting with various stakeholders in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  several  foreign  e-commerce  firms  have  raised  concern  over  a  few points in the draft policy pertaining to data and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री (श्री पीयूष गोयल) (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b): The  formulation  of  the  National  e-Commerce  policy  and  the  new Industrial Policy is under consideration of the Government.

The  draft  National  e-commerce  policy  seeks  to  create  a  facilitative regulatory environment for growth of e-commerce sector. It is aimed at empowering domestic entrepreneurs and to encourage Make in India while  safeguarding  interests  of  the  consumers  and  facilitating  job creation.

|         | The proposed new Industrial policy seeks to boost competitiveness and growth of the manufacturing sector in India.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| to (e): | On the 23rd February, 2019, the first draft of the National e-Commerce policy was placed in public domain for comments/ suggestions. Comments from over 120 stakeholders (companies both Indian and foreign, Industry associations, think tanks, foreign governments) were received.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|         | A series of meetings have been held at the level of Secretary, DPIIT with different stakeholders, including major e-commerce companies, start-ups, industry associations, think-tanks, academicians etc. as well as data centre providers, logistics companies, export promotion councils to discuss the issues facing the sector and the provisions contained in the draft Policy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|         | Since e-Commerce is a new issue, it has necessitated detailed consultations over the last few months to ensure that the policy is crafted in a manner that interests of all stakeholders are taken in to account. Therefore, no timeline has been fixed for release of the same. With regard to the new Industrial Policy, a Working Group has constituted with representation from Central State Governments, and industry associations. The Working Group chaired by Secretary, DPIIT. The first meeting of the Working was held on 24th October, 2019 under the Chairmanship of DPIIT. Inter-ministerial consultation is currently going on for framing |
|         | been Ministries/Departments, is Group Secretary, the new Industrial Policy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

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