Intelligence infrastructure of India is in big mess. Whether it is legal framework or technological infrastructure, Indian intelligence agencies have none. However, even if there are no laws to justify the working of intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies in India yet their works and projects are well beyond the justifications provided under the constitution of India.In short, intelligence agencies of India and projects related to them are working without constitutional sanction and parliamentary oversight. Even worst is the fact that they are openly violating privacy rights and civil liberties of Indians.
Take the example of Aadhar project of India or UID project of India. It is managed by Nandan Nilekani as the chairman of unique identification authority of India (UIDAI). Aadhar project is hiding truth from Indians and is a very dangerous and e-surveillances oriented project.
Another project is national intelligence grid (Natgrid) that is also not supported by any legal framework and is well beyond parliamentary scrutiny. Projects like Aadhar, NATGRID, Central Monitoring System (CMS), etc are not desirable without “Constitutionally Sounds Laws” supporting them, opines Praveen Dalal, managing partner of Perry4Law and leading techno legal expert of India. Till now none of these projects are governed by any Legal Framework and Parliamentary Scrutiny informs Dalal.
Now Raghu Raman, project coordinator of Natgrid, has barely got an extension of six months. However, it is doubtful that he can deliver results in such a short period of time. Further, there is an urgent need to establish e-surveillance policy of India as soon as possible.
Lacks of Privacy Safeguards have already stalled Natgrid Project. Irrespective what Indian Government claims, Natgrid Project of India is in troubled waters. Natgrid would remain in doldrums till it is properly planned and legally implemented, opines Dalal.
