The National Information Technology Policy (NITP) says that there is an urgent need, not only to computerise Government departments and ministries, but a central mechanism is required, so that Government can get feedback from citizens electronically. This would also require putting up information kiosks; Government web sites; complete intranet connectivity amongst Government departments and information f‌low f‌rom Government to citizens and vice versa.

Issue of smart cards which is a more useful and intelligent version of today‘s credit card, containing microchips encoded with various classes of conf‌idential information, such as-

• personal f‌inancial information, allowing transfers from one‘s bank to various payees and
• personal medical information, accessible only to qualif‌ied medical care givers

Unless backed by eff‌icient legislation, the ambitions of the NITP, it is afraid, may remain unaccomplished. However, the NITP has acknowledged the urgency for a Cyber Law for our country. The NITP has underscored the need for an Indian Cyber Law, thus:-

'The outdated Indian laws require a quick change. Its high time that we change the vintage Telegraph act of 1885, so that the Indian people and telecom companies can freely breathe. It is also essential to introduce laws against computer crime and such other cyber laws that would help build the National Information Infrastructure. The laws have to take into consideration, the emerging use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Electronic Commerce, Electronic Fund Transfer, Electronic Cash, Copyright and Digital Intellectual Property rights etc. For example, one may require to change the Evidence Act to recognise Digital signatures. Changes in Evidence Act, 1872 Indian Penal Code 1860 and Indian Patents Act General Clauses/Act would be undertaken to recognise emerging technologies, keeping in view of the following:

• Prevention of computer crime
• Digital Signatures especially as related to Electronic Fund Transfer
• Copyright and Digital Intellectual Property Rights especially with regard to Internet and World Wide Web
• Electronic Governance
• Computerisation of Land Records
• Bar Coding of all consumer goods and related amendments in the Weights and Measures Act
• Cryptography and Encryption
• Privacy of data‘