332. Electronic furnishing of Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders, certificates, etc.—
(1) The Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or the Director General of Income-tax (Systems), as the case may be, may with the prior approval of the Board, specify that any of the Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders or certificates, by whatever name called, as specified in Appendix III, shall be furnished electronically—
(a) under digital signature, if it is required to be furnished under digital signature; or
(b) through electronic verification code in a case not covered under clause (a).
(2) The Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or the Director General of Income-tax (Systems), as the case may be, shall—
(a) with the approval of the Board specify the Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders, certificates referred to in sub-rule (1), which are to be furnished electronically;
(b) lay down the data structure, standards and procedure of furnishing and verification of such Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders, certificates including modification in format, if required, to make it compatible for furnishing electronically; and
(c) be responsible for ensuring secured capture and transmission of data, formulating and implementing appropriate security, archival and retrieval policies in relation to the said Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders and certificates.