Under attack for alleged telephone tapping, The government said on Thursday that it will consider amending rules to strengthen and protect citizens' privacy. Home Minister P Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed that the government should "get to the bottom" of the tapping controversy. Assuring the Rajya Sabha that the government will get to the bottom of illegal interception, if any, Chidambaram said it "has become necessary to review" whether the National Technical Research Organisation, equipped with telephone interception technology, be shifted from the National Security Adviser to a minister, who will be accountable to Parliament.
At present, NTRO is accountable to the NSA who reports directly to the prime minister. He has conveyed his proposal to the PM, he said winding up a discussion on the issue. Disagreeing with the Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley, Chidamabaram said the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and other enforcement agencies have powers to intercept messages if the nation's financial security was threatened. This has also been upheld by the Supreme Court. Jaitely, an eminently lawyer, had argued that mere suspicion of tax evasion cannot be equated with 'public safety' and 'public emergency' - the only two situations which allow the government to intercept messages.
Referring to media reports about telephone tapping and role of lobbyists in policy making, Chidamarabam said he could not comment on their authenticity. "(But) the Prime Minister has directed that we must get to the bottom" of the issue. The government would certainly find out whether any unauthorised interception took place, he said. "Further enquiries are being made into the allegations. The matter will be thoroughly investigated and action taken against those responsible," he said.
Government had earlier asserted that it had not authorised tapping of phones. Referring to opposition charge of involvement of lobbyists in government decision making and even in the appointment of ministers, Chidambaram said the country discouraged lobbyists and had done away with middlemen in defence purchases.
"We are frightened of middlemen," he said, adding that as the country's economy grows with increased commercial transactions, "it is necessary to look into what we do with the lobbyists. It is a grave issue."
"We will address the issue," the Home Minister said asserting that the "government is not run by lobbyists. It is
completely untrue." On members' concern on phone tapping, Chidambaram said, "What is involved here is a grave principle that can demolish many pillars of democracy if it is not addressed with the seriousness it deserves."
He said if rules on phone tapping are inadequate, "we will amend rules, we will add to it. We will bring more stringent safegurads....This government is committed to the right of privacy."
Chidambaram, however, underlined the need for intelligence gathering in the backdrop of "grave threat" by terrorists saying they are adept in technology and the government has to be ahead of them. "No government can function without intelligence
gathering....Gathering signal intelligence was part of the duty of the government," he said and pointed out that the NTRO
was set up during the National Democratic Alliance regime.
On the technology used by the NTRO, Chidambaram said some countries use much advanced technology and India was still lagging behind in such technology. "It amazed me on one hand and frightened me on the other with the kind of technology (abroad). We do not have that kind of technology," he said.
On authorised phone tapping, the Home Minister said it was done either by the consent of the Union Home Secretary or the
Home Secretary of the states as per guidelines and the states should also have safeguards. "No minister is involved in the decision... We have to entrust the powers to someone. We are working on further safeguards in view of the changing technology," he said.Chidambaram assured the House that the findings on the enquiry into phone tapping will be shared with the members.
