Concerned over the growing accusations in the use of electronic surveillance equipment and complaints that social media sites will have to pre-screen users posts, minister of state for science and technology Ashwani Kumar has ordered an expert group in the Planning Commission to look into the whole issue of the increasing invasion of an individual’s privacy.
Mr Kumar pointed out that with the proliferation of different agencies, including the National Investigative Agency, the National Intelligence Grid and UID, there is concern that “the right to privacy, which is an essential component of our Constitution, should not be compromised upon”.
The committee, under the chairman of Delhi high court chief Justice A.P. Shah (Retd.) is expected to submit its report in the next few weeks.
Mr Ashwani Kumar said, “While we do believe the nation must progress but it cannot be at the cost of the invasion of an individual’s privacy. The right to dignity is also enshrined in the constitution.” While expressing regret about the recent Isro controversy, the minister felt it was unlikely that the government would concede to former Isro chairman Madhavan Nair’s request for a fresh enquiry.
“The B.K. Chaturvedi committee has submitted its report and the PMO will look into the matter. In any case the matter is now being taken up for arbitration,” he said.
He denied that there was disconnect between the political establishment and scientists though he conceded that “such an incident (Isro )should never have happened”.
On National Science Day, he pointed out that though India produced 2.5 million science graduates annually, these were not transferring into researcher.
“We need to create an eco system where more people can opt for research. Worldwide there are seven million researchers doing post graduate research,” said Mr Kumar.