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License for Web sites?

T. H. Chowdary, Hyderabad

It is reported that the Government is planning to include a section in the proposed Convergence Bill (Computers, Communications and broadcasting) requiring those wanting to create a web site on the Internet, to take a licence. This might not be a good mo ve.

The Internet is a creator of opportunities for economic and social interactions on a global scale. Just as requiring people, societies or enterprises to seek a licence to speak or write would be an assault on the freedom of expression and right to know, licensing web sites would be a disgrace to India, a country committed to freedom.

India adopted the people-friendly Internet because it is liberal in not having any external costs, such as licence fees, revenue shares or entry fees.

Under the permit-licence-quota raj, most imports were banned, but were selectively permitted for the sake of vested interests. The same thing will happen if one is required to have a licence to create a web site. It would create scope for corruption and extortion. Knowing fully the problems caused to the people by the permit-licence-quota-raj, it is amazing how a liberalising government could once again consider licensing.

In the 21st century, India hopes to become an intellectual superpower. It would, therefore, be disgraceful to have a statute requiring intelligent and enterprising Indian citizens to seek licences from government officials to create web sites.