On 16-12-2022, the Ministry of Science and Technology has notified the National Geospatial Policy, 2022 to create an enabling ecosystem thereby providing a conducive environment to Indian Companies that will enable them to make India self-reliant in producing and using their own Geospatial data /information and compete with foreign companies in the global space.
Note: The word Geospatial means “relating to or denoting data that is associated with a particular location”.
Key Points:
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This technology has applications in every domain of the economy that enables government systems and services, and sustainable national development initiatives, to be integrated using ‘location’ as a common and underpinning reference frame.
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It is a citizen-centric policy that seeks to strengthen the Geospatial sector to support national development, economic prosperity, and a thriving information economy.
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Strategy and Approach: The focus of the Policy is to make Geospatial technology and data as agents of transformation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to bring efficiency in all sectors of economy and instilling accountability and transparency at all levels of governance.
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Atmanirbhar Bharat: The Policy recognizes the importance of locally available and locally relevant Maps and Geospatial Data in improved planning and management of resources and better serving the specific needs of the Indian population.
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Innovation: The Policy enables and supports innovation, creation and incubation of ideas and start-up initiatives in the Geospatial sector that will enable leapfrogging from outdated regulations, technologies, and processes, bridging the Geospatial digital divide and capitalizing on the opportunities arising out of continually evolving Technology.
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Institutional Framework: The Government will constitute a Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (‘GDPDC’). It will be the apex body for formulating and implementing appropriate guidelines, strategies, and programs for promotion of activities related to the Geospatial sector.
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Functions of GDPDC will be to take measures to foster innovation, provide leadership and coordination among stakeholders, and promote standards necessary to strengthen Geospatial information management so that they can be used to find sustainable solutions to emerging development and security challenges faced by the nation.
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Rules and Procedure: GDPDC can frame rules and procedures for its business. In the absence of Chairperson, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India will preside over the Committee meetings. The Committee will meet at least once every year as arranged by the Chairperson.
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Vision and Goals:
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To make India a World Leader in Global Geospatial space with the best in the class ecosystem for innovation.
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To develop a coherent national framework in the country and leverage it to move towards digital economy and improve services to citizens.
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To enable easy availability of valuable Geospatial data collected utilizing public funds, to businesses and public
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To have a thriving Geospatial industry in the country involving private enterprise.
*Kriti Kumar, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.