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Rule 17: Salary, Allowances and Service Conditions of the Chairperson and Members

Rule 17 specifies the financial and service-related terms for the Chairperson and Members of the Data Protection Board of India. These details are important to ensure that the leadership of the Board can function independently, without undue influence from external pressures.

According to this rule:

  • The salary, allowances, and other service conditions of the Chairperson and Members will be determined by the Central Government.
  • These conditions are set out clearly to maintain transparency and consistency, and to ensure that those who serve on the Board are adequately compensated for their responsibilities.
  • The objective is to provide the Chairperson and Members with the security of fair service conditions so that they can make impartial decisions in sensitive cases involving data protection.
Critical Point

By guaranteeing stable and fair service conditions, Rule 17 ensures that the Board’s leadership can take decisions independently and without fear of external pressure.

Example Scenario

Example

Suppose a large insurance company suffers a data breach that exposes policyholders’ medical information. When the matter comes before the Data Protection Board, the Members must have the confidence to act against the company if required, without fear of financial or professional insecurity.

Rule 17 ensures such independence by defining stable and fair service conditions.

By setting out the compensation framework, this rule strengthens the credibility and independence of the Data Protection Board, which is essential for building trust in the enforcement of the DPDPA.