India’s NSDI – Back into the future

Resolution

No. SMP/25/003/05 Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology. New Delhi, the 13th June, 2006. Excerpts:

The Government of India propose to establish a national infrastructure known as the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI”) for the purposes of acquiring, processing, storing, distribution and improving utilistation of spatial data which would be a gateway of spatial data being generated by various agencies of the Government of India. The Government of India has accordingly decided to establish National Spatial Data Committee (NSDC) with the composition, functions and powers as specified in this resolution:-

Constitution

The NSDC shall consist of the permanent Members (ex-officiocapacity) as mentioned in table 1.

On and from such date and term as may be decided by the NSDC, the NSDC can appoint the following additional Members:

(a) maximum of 5 (five) Secretary rank officials of the Government of India or State Government department whose activities are related to the NSDI.

(b) maximum of 5 (five) Experts having experience and qualifications in the fields related to NSDI- Geographical Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, Digital Mapping, Photogrammetry, Spatial and Nonspatial
databases, information Technology, Networking, Software, Business Management, Law and other related fields.

(c) maximum of 5 (five) representatives from industry, academia and NGOs.

Functions and Powers

The NSDC shall be the apex national authority for formulating and implementing appropriate policies, strategies and programmes for the establishment, operation,management of the NSDI and utilistation and any other activities related to spatial data in the country. As part of this, the NSDC will:

• determine the requirement of spatial data in the country and require the creation or collection of spatial data to fill such requirement;

• formulate and position policies on all aspects related to the NSDI including its establishment, access, pricing etc.;

• decide and arbiter on issues relating to spatial data generation and its availability;

• promote and enable investment in the spatial business sector and to create an environment that encourages competitive excellence;

• promote the development of human resources in the spatial data sector by encouraging existing training institutes, universities, institutions offering specialized courses, etc to undertake human resources development activities for NSDI;

• promote advanced research related to the NSDI activities and enable an ambience of R&D for NSDI in the country;

• require any member, persons, entities or organizations to provide access to any data at such costs as may be reasonable;

• aid and advise the Central Government on any matter related to or connected with the NSDI;

• enter into appropriate arrangement with any third party to undertake any specific activity conneted with or related to any of the activities of the NSDI, including marketing, data generation, data assimilation, access, consulting, commercial exploitation of any data, etc.;

• do all such acts and deeds that may be necessary, beneficial or otherwise desirable to achieve the objectives of the NSDI.

Table 1

Executive Committee

The NSDI Executive Committee shall have the members (ex-officio capacity) as mentioned in table 2. In addition, the NSDC may appoint for a specified term, on recommendation of the Chairperson of NSDI Executive Committee, Eight (8) Experts having experience and qualifications in the fields related to NSDI- Geographical Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, Digital Mapping, Photogrammetry, spatial and Non-spatial Database, Information Technology, Networking, Software, Business Management, Law and other related fields.

Functions and powers of the Executive Committee:

NSDI Executive Committee shall undertake any and all implementing and executive functions for and on behalf of the NSDC including functions as may be prescribed by regulations framed by the NSDC in this connection or otherwise as directed or delegated upon the NSDI Executive Committee
by the NSDC. Such functions and powers would include:

• To define and ensure implementation of national standards for NSDI activities and to enable a smooth establishment and access to NSDI;

• To constitute technical, financial or other sub-committees to establish the NSDI and any

• other objectives and functions under the Act;

• To define and formulate rules and procedures for enabling NSDI databases, servers, networks and access rules and filters;

• To aid and advise the NSDC on any matter related to or connected with its functions and the NSDI;

• To advise the NSDC on expanding the scope of NSDI by including newer spatial and non-spatial data and enabling a larger participation in NSDI;

• To undertake activities to attract new entrants, private sector participation and stimulate innovation related to NSDI;

• To encourage and set into operations value-added-services relating to the usage of NSDI for supporting developmental and economic activities;

• To do all such acts and deeds that may be necessary, beneficial or otherwise desirable to achieve the objectives of the NSDI.

Table 2