The Centre on Friday banned the import and usage of jammers by private firms and individuals. The new policy bars import of jammers without requiring a license from Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Earlier in the wake of the Nira Radia and Amar Singh tapes’ leak controversy, the import of phone tapping equipments by private firms and individuals were also banned in 2010. These equipments were not placed in the restricted category for import and were considered as Open General license category.
Under the new policy, the jammers can be procured only by Defence forces, State police departments, jail authorities and Central Government security agencies. Prior permission of Secretary (Security) in Cabinet Secretariat must be obtained before procurement of jammers, it said.
The new norms bar examination conducting bodies to procure jammers. They will have to go through an authorised PSU vendor if they require jammers. Jammer models manufactured by M/s ECIl and M/s BEl, which are evaluated by concerned security agencies, can be procured.
However, Central or State PSUs, wanting to manufacture jammers, can apply to the Secretariat giving details of the model, the source of technology and other relevant information, it said. “Inviting open tender from unauthorised manufacturers is a violation of the policy of Government of India in matters of procurement of jammers,” the circular of Cabinet Secretariat said.
For seeking prior permission for installation of jammers in jails, the total number of jammers required for installation in prisons need to be assessed by jail authorities in consultation with the local office of the wireless adviser, Department of Telecommunications, before the proposal is submitted for seeking approval, it said.
Any Central or State Government undertaking, with requisite manufacturing capability and necessary technology can request for registration as a jammer manufacturer after getting mandatory clearances.
Earlier, it was estimated that as many as 700 tapping equipments were imported by several individuals and certain big corporates. According to Intelligence Bureau reports, these tapping equipments which can be fitted into vehicles were used mainly for corporate espionages and blackmailing by certain private detective agents and certain corporate houses.