NCPCR Asks IT Ministry How PUBG Still Available In India

The National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the IT Ministry as to how the Chinese app, PUBG, is still available to children in the country despite getting banned in 2020. 

According to an Indian Express report, the NCPCR wrote a letter to the IT Ministry seeking an explanation in 10 days as to how PUBG is available in India after getting banned. The explanation has been sought when a 16-years old boy killed his mother for stopping him from playing PUBG. 

The NCPCR said that the Chinese game PUBG has been blocked in India by the IT Ministry to safeguard the integrity of the country. The letter reads, “In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State and public order.”

The media report quoted NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo saying, “We have also asked the authorities what is the regulating mechanism for such games. If these games are blocked in the country, how do children continue to have access to them? This is a matter of great concern to us, and needs to be addressed.”

Besides, the NCPCR has also approached the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to share the status of PUBG and other Chinese games that were banned in India.

The NCPCR, in the letter to IOA, said that PUBG is recognised internationally as an e-sport and has also got recognition from the Olympic Council of Asia. In view of this, the commission seeks to know if IOA also considers PUBG as an e-sport. 

Following the China-India clash on Himalayan borders, the Centre has amended several rules to decrease the Chinese companies’ participation in the country’s economy. Earlier this year, the Centre banned 54 Chinese apps and games that are run by Chinese tech giants including Tencent, Alibaba and NetEase. 

So far, over 250 Chinese apps including TikTok, Free Fire, Soul Hunters, Rules of Survival have been abolished by the Centre. 

Besides, several Chinese firms have been scrutinised by the Enforcement Directorate for remitting money and transferring data to their parent company in China. Recently, the Indian business units of ZTE Corp and Vivo were probed by the ED for alleged financial impropriety. Prior to this, Xiaomi bank accounts holding worth INR 5,551 Cr were seized by the ED under the FEMA act.

Besides, the Centre notified (in June) that the Chinese nationals, who are designated as directors on the board of Indian companies, will have to go through security clearance as well as acquire a consent form from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 

The Centre amended guidelines after reports surfaced that Chinese companies are hiding their actual identity by registering themselves in other countries such as the US and Cayman Islands. By doing this, the Chinese companies are trying to evade the Indian government’s restrictions.

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