Public Consultation on Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

Jun 17, 2022 | Business


A stakeholder interaction on the Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy was held in the presence of Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State, Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, on 14th June 2022 at India Habitat Center in New Delhi.


There was a participation from over 250 stakeholders from industry, start-ups, academia, think tanks, international alliances & government officials from various ministries.


Minister of State, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, highlighted the rapid digitalization of the government and Nagriks, within India, and the subsequent rise in data volumes necessitating a framework for harnessing the potential of this data. He stated that the Narendra Modi Government’s vision is to build a modern framework for Data Governance that will be kinetic enabler of India’s Digital Economy. NDGFP aims at standardising Government’s Data collection and management while catalysing AI and Data led research and startup ecosystem, he added.


The Minister of State also highlighted the importance of private stakeholders in participating in the overall data ecosystem and emphasized the government’s focus on ensuring a collaborative and participative approach towards this policy and its implementation.  “PM Narendra Modi encourages Public Consultation as most effective way to develop policies with wide inputs from wide universe of Stakeholders. The Ministry of Electronics and IT follows Public consultation to ensure Global standard laws for India’s Globally competitive Digital Economy and Startups”, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar


Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology provided a brief overview of the Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy emphasizing on the importance of following a whole-of-government approach towards data governance.


Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, presented a detailed view of the key provisions of the Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy.


The draft policy and the sound foundation upon which it is built will focus on improving the institutional framework for government data sharing, promoting principles around privacy and security by design, encouraging the use of anonymization tools and ensuring equitable access to non-personal data for both the public and private sector.


Various suggestions included the continuation of the consultative process informing the functioning of the IDMO, provisions for harnessing the future potential of integrated datasets and clarifications around the nature of engagement with private players. Furthermore, information and clarity on the operations of the India Data Management Office, access to annotated datasets for AI innovation and active collaboration with private sector and social impact firms to build data capacity was suggested.


*****


RKJ/M




(Release ID: 1834520)
Visitor Counter : 850











Hong Kong – Public consultation on draft Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill launched

Jun 16, 2022 | International

Public consultation on draft Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill launched

******************************************************************


The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:



     The Judiciary today (June 16) launched a three-month public consultation on the draft Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill. To illustrate how the Bill will operate upon enactment, the Judiciary has also prepared the draft Practice Directions and the draft Operational Guidelines, which set out the administrative and operational details for the conduct of remote hearing. Legal professionals, interested parties and members of the public are invited to offer their views on the draft Bill, draft Practice Directions and draft Operational Guidelines by September 15.

 

     A spokesman for the Judiciary said, “At present, owing to legal impediments, most criminal cases cannot be heard remotely. For civil proceedings, while there is no question of legal impediments, there are no express provisions setting out how matters pertinent to a remote hearing shall be handled.

 

     “The Bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework concerning the application, operation and effect of remote hearings for court proceedings in Hong Kong. It provides a clear legal basis for Judges and Judicial Officers to order remote hearings at various levels of courts and tribunals where appropriate, having regard to all relevant factors, as well as the dual requirements of open justice and fair hearing.”

 

     The major features of the Bill include:

 

  1. Details of the making of a remote hearing order, including safeguards for parties to ensure the fair disposal of remote hearings;

  2. Operation and legal effect of remote hearings;

  3. Safeguards for open justice in remote hearings; and

  4. Proposed new offences for the recording and publishing of remote and physical court hearings, as well as the broadcast of such hearings.


 

     “While the Bill provides a general framework to enable the use of remote hearings for all types of court proceedings, we plan to adopt an incremental approach in implementation by excluding certain proceedings, such as criminal trials, and persons from the application of the Bill at the initial stage,” the spokesman said.  



     The draft Bill, draft Practice Directions and draft Operational Guidelines will be refined in light of the comments received during the consultation as appropriate before it is introduced to the Legislative Council. 



     The consultation document is available at the Judiciary’s website (www.judiciary.hk/remote_hearing_bill/consultation_doc/eng.pdf). Views can be submitted via:

 

Email: remote_hearing_bill@judiciary.hk

 

Fax: 2501 4636

 

Mail: Planning and Development Division,

        Judiciary,                                                              

        Room 802-808, 8/F, High Block,

        Queensway Government Offices,

        66 Queensway, Hong Kong