The functioning of the Indian intelligence agencies, subject of much criticism in recent years, needs to be reformed, and that is what a private member's bill, based on a study by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and introduced in the Lok Sabha recently, aims to achieve.

The bill titled 'The Intelligence Services (Powers and Regulation) Bill, 2011', introduced by Congress MP Manish Tewari in the just concluded parliament session, aims "to regulate the functioning and use of power by the Indian intelligence agencies within and outside India and to provide for the coordination, control and oversight of such agencies", according to an ORF release.

With the growing threat to national security, there comes a greater need for the strongest and most efficient structure of intelligence. “The bill is aimed at improving the professional and democratic framework of internal and external intelligence agencies, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), which would enable the bodies to work more effectively.”

The bill suggests that the IB should work "for national security in the context of internal conflict and, in particular, provide protection against threats from espionage, terrorist acts organised by other countries within the territory of India with the help of Indian nationals or residents and from actions intended to subvert the constitution of India by violent means". It also says the IB should function under the prime minister and even the RAW head be appointed by him only.

The bill wants to "regulate the possible infringement of privacy of citizens while giving credence to security concerns". It also envisages that the working of intelligence agencies be free from perils of politicisation.

The ORF study report, on which this bill is based, has pointed out the need for comprehensive reforms, a paradigm shift in the working, improving recruitment, deputation, promotions, training for new recruits and better quality supervision of operations in intelligence agencies.

“The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) shall function under the control of the prime minister,” the think-tank report suggests, adding that the chairman of the NTRO should be appointed by the PM.

The report also suggests ways to tackle complaints against the RAW, the IB or the NTRO. “The Bill also envisages establishing a tribunal to be known as the National Intelligence tribunal, under the chairmanship of a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge, for the purpose of investigating complaints against the intelligence bodies,” it says.

Read the bill