Approval Barriers Restrict Market Access

This provision requires public institutions to obtain "no objection" approval from the Centre before accessing any ICT research funding, creating significant barriers for private sector providers and partners. The Centre assesses projects against undefined "national development goals" and standards to be prescribed by regulations, creating regulatory uncertainty that prevents businesses from predicting approval outcomes. Combined with criminal penalties (1,000-5,000 penalty units) for information omissions and potential 3-year disqualification from funding, the provision creates severe compliance risks that discourage public-private partnerships and effectively gives the Centre gatekeeping control over market access to public sector ICT opportunities.