New Delhi, May 8 (IANS). Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has written a letter to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, expressing serious concern over the proposed 3(4) amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Rules and demanding withdrawal of them. Along with this, it was said that Parliament cannot remain a silent spectator when real responsibilities are created through the communication of the executive.
Chidambaram wrote, “I am writing this letter to draw your attention to the serious issue of parliamentary oversight, democratic accountability and the future of India’s digital governance framework. The proposed amendment to Rule 3(4) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 raises serious concerns on these issues. The government has full powers to make rules under the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, but these powers are subject to constitutional safeguards. measures and are subject to parliamentary scrutiny. The current proposal appears to go well beyond this framework, as it allows advisories, clarifications, standard operating procedures, instructions and other executive instruments issued by the Ministry to become binding components of intermediaries’ due diligence obligations under Section 79 of the IT Act.”
The Congress MP accused the government of imposing the bill. He said, “This sets a worrying precedent, because instruments of a generally administrative or advisory nature can now achieve legal results without being laid before Parliament, publicly debated or subjected to the scrutiny normally applied to delegated legislation. The executive cannot make Parliament a silent spectator when setting concrete obligations through communication. If the Government wishes to impose new duties on intermediaries, it must do so through clear legislation, due process, parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation.”
The MP said, “The far-reaching consequences of the proposed rule are not limited to platforms alone, as due diligence obligations directly impact online expression, content moderation, access to information, grievance redressal mechanisms, journalists, creators, startups, civil society organizations and ordinary internet users. Therefore, any extension of these obligations should be considered with caution, transparency and meaningful consultation.”
“There are also concerns over ease of doing business and regulatory certainty. India’s digital economy needs a stable, predictable and clearly defined regulatory framework. Uncertain compliance obligations through future consultations and standard operating procedures could create uncertainty for businesses, innovators and investors operating in India’s technology ecosystem. Therefore, I urge the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to withdraw the proposed Rule 3(4) in its current form,” the MP said.
–IANS
OP/ABM