BREAKING| Centre Withdraws Personal Data Protection Bill From Lok Sabha; New Bill Proposed

The Central Government on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill from the Lok Sabha to present a new bill for the protection of personal data in online space.

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw moved a motion in the Lok Sabha to withdraw the Bill. The motion was passed in a voice-vote and the Bill was withdrawn.

The Bill was intended to provide for a law for protection of personal data. The Bill was introduced on 11 December, 2019. The Bill was referred to the Joint Committee of the Houses for examination and report and the report of the Joint Committee was presented to Lok Sabha on 16.12.2021.

The Bill has been withdrawn to provide for a new bill in the light of the recommendations made by the Joint Committee of Parliament. The Minister stated the following reason for the withdrawal of the Bill :

"The Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 was deliberated in great detail by the Joint Committee of Parliament. 81 amendments were proposed and 12 recommendations were made towards comprehensive legal framework on digital ecosystem. Considering the report of JCP, a comprehensive legal framework is being worked upon. Hence, in the circumstances, it is proposed to withdraw "The Personal Data Protection Bill 2019" and present a new Bill that fits into the comprehensive legal framework",