• PAGE ONE
• INDEX
• HOME

IT Act to be set in motion on Aug 15

Our bureau

NEW DELHI, Aug. 10

THE Union Government is all set to accord legal sanctity to electronic communication, e-commerce transactions and usher in electronic-governance by setting in motion the implementation phase of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the establishment o f Certifying Authority (CA) to recognise `digital signatures'.

The first digital signature scrutinised by the Controller of the Certifying Authorities is scheduled to be formally okayed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on August 15.

These significant decisions are expected to find a prominent place in the Independence Day speech of the Prime Minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort, according to sources.

The Centre is setting up CAs in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai as well as in Bangalore and Hyderabad. These CAs will have the licence to issue a digital signature certificate.

In another decision, the Government is setting up a committee of experts with the responsibility to evolve uniform norms for recognition and certification of digital signatures. The committee is to be headed by a top scientist from either of the premier Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bangalore.

The Information Technology Bill, 2000 has already been passed by both Houses of Parliament and got the assent of the President. Among other things, the Act provides for the establishment of a Cyber Appellate Tribunal, for the setting up of which necessa ry steps are being initiated by the Government.