Incorrect map of India on Google websites: Government

NEW DELHI: Survey of India has found out that Google is displaying incorrect map of India on its different websites, the government today said.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Rajyavardhan Rathore said that after complaints regarding display of incorrect map were received, Survey of India had looked in to the matter.

"On receipt of complaints regarding display of incorrect map of India by Google, Survey of India found that Google is displaying incorrect map of India on its different websites namely google.co.in (India), ditu.google.co.ch (China), google.pk (Pakistan) and google.org(General).

He further said that displaying incorrect map of India is an offence under section 69-A of Information Technology Act, 2000.

Accordingly, matter was taken up by the Survey of India with Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence in a letter dated May 16, 2013 for necessary preventive or legal action at their end, the Minister said in his reply.

"Nodal officer has been appointed by the Survey of India to deal with such complaints," the Minister added.

In a written reply to another question, Rathore said that the grant of registration to Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited as MSO in DAS notified areas is linked with the formulation of policy based on TRAI recommendations.

Rathore also informed the Lok Sabha that TRAI had in its recommendations dated November 12, 2008 recommended that Government entities should not be allowed to enter into business of broadcasting and or distribution of TV channels.

"Examination of all recommendations as part of policy making is a continuous process that is undertaken from time to time," Rathore said.