IT Minister retracts statement on Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 report

Draft yet to be finalised contrary to Ravi Shankar Prasad’s claim, say parliamentary panel members

Union IT Ministerin an interview on Monday claiming that the Select Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 “has given their report” led to a protest by many members of the committee, ultimately forcing him to recall his comments by evening. The committee led by BJP MP Meenkashi Lekhi is yet to circulate the draft report among its members. The members were shocked by the Minister saying, “The Select Committee has given their report and have done a good job. Covid-permitting, in the next session I will like to push it.” “I am amazed. On March 8 I had been assured by Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi, Chairperson, that the draft report will be circulated for comments by members. That is still awaited,” a senior Congress leader and committee member said.