Significant work done, draft Digital India Act framework by early 2023: MoS IT

Rajeev Chandrasekhar asserted that the government intends to have detailed consultation on key legislations

A significant amount of work has been done on proposed Digital India Act, and the draft legislative framework to support 'India's techade' is expected by early 2023, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said.

The comments assume significance as India is moving swiftly towards a strong framework to catalyse its digital ambitions and govern online ecosystem, with openness, user safety and trust as the guiding principles.

At the same time, the government has asserted that extensive consultation will go into framing key legislations which are going to be essential building blocks for 'new India' and its digital architecture.

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Asked about the status of Digital India Act, which will replace the IT Act, Mr. Chandrasekhar said: "A significant amount of work has been done on it, and we expect that in early 2023, under PM's leadership, a legislative framework for India's techade will be placed in front of the country."

The Minister asserted that the government intends to have detailed consultation on key legislations.

"...all of these legislations for 'new India', have to be modern, extensively consulted with consumers, industry, startups, lawyers, judges, citizens... all of them have to find that their voice has been incorporated into all of these legislations, and that is precisely what we will do," Mr. Chandrasekhar told PTI in an interview.