INDIA CAN LEAPFROG THANKS TO THE TECH REVOLUTION

S. Krishnan, Secretary (Electronics & Information Technology), Meity, talks to Thomas George, Sunil Rajguru and Shubhendu Parth on a host of issues. From DPDP, to Industry 4.0's impact to self-reliance in semiconductors to the responsibility of social media platforms and AI. He shares a candid and compelling view on many crucial questions.

What's your reckoning of the DPDP regulatory move? Are you satisfied with its progress? What implications will it have on compliance in India Inc.? As you're aware, the DPDP Act was enacted in August. The Parliament has enacted it. It has also secured the consent of the President. Now, we are at the stage where rules are being drafted. There are a number of sections in fact, almost 88 sections for which rules have to be drafted. The process of drafting of the rules is nearing completion.

Thereafter, we will have internal consultations; and post that, it will be put out for public consultations. Now, the Act itself has a provision saying that now any rules under the Act, the draft has to be published and consultations held before they are finalised. So, to that extent, the  industry and others will get adequate opportunity to actually represent on the draft. There will be adequate stakeholder consultation on this aspect. So, I think there is no reason to get very concerned on these aspects. On the second element-as far as industry is concerned, this is a very positive provision for them. Different sections of the Act can be brought into force on different dates. That, then means that based on industry consultation, and based on their level of preparedness, Government can give more time, where there are genuine difficulties to comply with any provision immediately.

Our intention is to remove difficulties and ensure the balance of interests on both sides.