Dear All:
Strangely, I've not seen this discussed on any of the usual mailing lists so far (or maybe I missed it). Apologies for cross-posting. See also our Mumbai Free Map project on http://www.crit.org.in/projects/gis
Best
Shekhar ______
Cabinet approves new map policy
Defence and open series to be released
Though as a rule the use of maps is governed by a system of registration, there will now be no such requirement for maps up to a scale of 1:1 million.
Special Correspondent The Hindu, Chennai 20 May 2005
http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/20/stories/2005052003771200.htm
NEW DELHI: : The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a new policy, which provides for the release of two series of maps — defence and open. This is to ensure free flow of spatial information for developmental activities and address security concerns.
The defence series maps (DSMs) are for the exclusive use of the defence forces and authorised government departments. The open series maps (OSMs) will be available to the public, private and public agencies and non-governmental organisations involved in planning and development of irrigation projects, roads, bridges and hospitals.
The Defence Ministry will determine the policy on the use of DSMs, while the Survey of India (SOI), under the Science and Technology Ministry, will be responsible for the policy on OSMs.
The S&T Ministry will have to take one-time permission from the Defence Ministry before releasing a map in the open series. The user-agency will be free to add value and share it, provided the changes are communicated to the SOI.
The OSMs can be produced to any scale. Though, as a rule, the use of maps is governed by a system of registration, there will be no such requirement for maps up to a scale of 1:1 million. Registered private agencies, carrying SOI accreditation, will be permitted to do surveys for preparing maps in all parts using the public domain datum.
Redundant features
Announcing the decision,Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said technological changes around the world rendered many features of the existing map policy redundant and anachronistic.
An official release said its continuance tended to impede free flow of spatial information and engendered high opportunity costs for a developing economy. At the same time, all spatial data available in the public domain had potential security hazards. The new policy would address all these concerns.
Later, addressing a press conference, S&T Minister, Kapil Sibal, said the SOI would begin releasing the new OSMs in a few months, after the Defence Ministry decided on the extent of the geographical areas that could be opened up for generation of maps without compromising security concerns. At present, 60 per cent of the geographical area was under restriction. It was expected that the new policy would drastically reduce this.
The SOI would soon begin updating the maps. The OSMs would have all essential parameters such as the latitude, longitude, gradients and contours.
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Shekhar Krishnan CRIT (Collective Research Initiatives Trust) B-43, Shravasti Goregaon-Malad Link Road Malad (West), Mumbai 400064 India