New Delhi: The government will add stringent clauses to the IT Amendment Bill, 2008, to ensure data protection and cyber security, a top official said here Thursday.

Speaking at a seminar on 'IT Amendments Bill 2008-Entails for Corporate India', organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), IT Secretary Jainder Singh said: "The ministry would shortly come up with fresh regulations to be added to IT Amendment Bill 2008 as there was criticism that the bill takes little care of the identified issues."

He said the bill in its existing form "does not ensure adequate punishment for stealing of corporate data".

"The government will frame new rules and regulations so that these issues are addressed as per satisfaction of all stake holders," Singh added.

Elaborating on the proposed new regulations, the secretary said grave cyber crimes will remain non-bailable for which no ceiling for compensation has been fixed.

Singh, however, declined from specifying any time-frame for these rules and regulations to be incorporated, but said it would happen before the bill is converted into an Act.