Lok Sabha Debates Bill on Digital Personal Data Protection

Digital Personal Data Protection Bill was put forth in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

In response to opposition members' requests that it be submitted to a parliamentary panel for examination, the administration on Thursday introduced the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill in the Lok Sabha. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw denied claims that the bill was a financial one while advancing it. He described it as a "normal bill".

At the introduction stage, several opposition members rejected the bill and questioned the proposal.

The government should not rush with the law, according to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the head of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, and his party's Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor.

The Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 was previously introduced by the Centre in Parliament. The Joint Committee of Parliament received the Bill for review. Following discussions, the Joint Committee gave the Speaker a report.

The Bill was dropped in August 2022 as a result of comments from stakeholders and several agencies. A public consultation on a new draught bill, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022, was launched by the government on November 18, 2022.

On this issue, a thorough consultation was undertaken. Public opinions totaling 21,666 were received, and 46 sector groups, organizations, and industry bodies were consulted throughout the process.

38 ministries and departments of the Indian government also provided comments. Six different sorts of sanctions for non-businesses to firms were proposed in the reintroduced draught Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022.

The draught law that was released for public consultation proposes a fine of up to Rs. 250 crore to deter a violation of personal data. A fine of up to Rs. 200 crores may be imposed for failing to inform the Board and the affected Data Principals in the case of a personal data breach and for failing to comply with specific duties relating to Children.

Significant Data Fiduciary may be subject to fines of Rs. 150 crore and Rs. 10 crore, respectively, for failing to satisfy extra requirements. This is by sections 11 and 16 of the Act.