The proposed framework for online gaming in India will catalyse innovation while protecting gamers' rights, privacy and safety, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Thursday. The minister of state for electronics and IT met a group of online gamers to seek their views on the proposed framework for online gaming in India.
Chandrasekhar termed online gamers important stakeholders and said that their views will be taken into consideration when the government comes up with a final framework for online games.
"Gamers are important stakeholders in #OnlineGaming. Met with thm to hear their views as @GoI_MeitY develops a policy framework for #onlinegaming in #India - that catalyses innovation in sector while protectng gamer's rights, privacy & safety," the minister said in a tweet.
Speaking with PTI, one of the gamers who participated in the meeting, said that gamers suggested that the government should regulate some part of the gaming content and ensure that the content does not lead to any harm to women.
Gamers also raised the issue of some states banning online games like chess which have hampered the practice of players who want to participate in national and international tournaments, the gamer said.
Gamers also urged the minister to protect their rights and provide them with a place in the self-regulatory organisation when it comes up with a framework for online games.
The government has set up an inter-ministerial panel to work on regulations for the online gaming industry and identify a nodal ministry to look after the sector.
The seven-member panel includes government think-tank Niti Aayog's CEO as well as secretaries of home affairs, revenue, industries and internal trade, electronics and IT, information and broadcasting and sports.
The panel is looking into various aspects to promote online gaming and frame regulatory mechanisms for the segment, protection of gamers, and ease of doing business, among others.
The group of ministers (GoM) on online gaming, horse racing and casinos, headed by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, has reaffirmed 28% goods and services tax (GST) on all the three activities but could not find consensus on the elements of the transaction that tax should be levied on.
After a detailed discussion, the GoM decided to take the help of the law committee to look into the legal aspect raised by few stakeholders, said people aware of the matter. A representative of the gaming industry had said that online games of skills are protected under Article 19(1) (g) and article 301 of the Constitution, they said, adding that the GoM also wants to clear air on that. The GoM will meet again to finalise its report, ahead of the next GST Council meeting.
"No consensus was there on how it has to be taxed. Legal aspects require further discussion," a person aware of the proceedings of the meeting told ET on condition of anonymity, adding that the GoM will seek more time as it is unlikely to conclude its deliberations before its July 15 deadline to submit the report.A representative of the gaming industry had said that online games of skills are protected under Article 19(1) (g) and article 301 of the Constitution.
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