Implementation of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011
The Committee find that the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011 for introduction of Digital Addressable system (DAS) has recently been enacted. As per the Act, the Ministry has notified the dates for switching over to digital addressable system from analogue cable services by December 2014. The Committee understand that following the passing of the above legislation making digitization mandatory, there is an ongoing demand for set top boxes in future and there will be large scale demand for set top boxes to meet the requirement. However,
The Committee had also deliberated on the issue while examining the Demands for Grants of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (Ministry of Communication & Information Technology also under the purview of this Committee) and the Committee were apprised that in order to encourage the domestic manufacturing of set top boxes and to protect the interests of local manufactures, the Government has introduced 5 % tariff on import of set top boxes. During the deliberations certain crucial Research & Development(R&D) issues relating to the technology also emerged and the
Emergence of Cross Media Holdings
The Committee find that the Ministry had sponsored a study by Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad which has established existence of Cross Media Ownership/cross media monopoly in various segments of the Country. The extensive study has recommended that Cross Media Ownership Rules for Broadcasting, Print and the News Media must be put in place. It has also suggested that prior to Setting up of Media rules, periodic market analysis should be conducted to ascertain the structure of ownership and the level of competition. The ASCI Report had also stated that the equity ownership on restriction in number of channels owned as provided in the Draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill are inadequate and needs to be modified.
Standing Committee on Information Technology (2011-12) report granted extension
Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha has granted extension of time till the last week of the next Session i.e. Monsoon Session of Parliament to the Standing Committee on Information Technology for presentation of Reports on three Bills viz. ‘The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Second Amendment Bill, 2011’, ‘The Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill, 2011’ and ‘The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011’.
The Committee find that the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011 for introduction of Digital Addressable system (DAS) has recently been enacted. As per the Act, the Ministry has notified the dates for switching over to digital addressable system from analogue cable services by December 2014. The Committee understand that following the passing of the above legislation making digitization mandatory, there is an ongoing demand for set top boxes in future and there will be large scale demand for set top boxes to meet the requirement. However,
The Committee had also deliberated on the issue while examining the Demands for Grants of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (Ministry of Communication & Information Technology also under the purview of this Committee) and the Committee were apprised that in order to encourage the domestic manufacturing of set top boxes and to protect the interests of local manufactures, the Government has introduced 5 % tariff on import of set top boxes. During the deliberations certain crucial Research & Development(R&D) issues relating to the technology also emerged and the
In this direction, the Government may consider hiking of the import duty from 5 to 10 per cent. In the light of above,
Emergence of Cross Media Holdings
The Committee find that the Ministry had sponsored a study by Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad which has established existence of Cross Media Ownership/cross media monopoly in various segments of the Country. The extensive study has recommended that Cross Media Ownership Rules for Broadcasting, Print and the News Media must be put in place. It has also suggested that prior to Setting up of Media rules, periodic market analysis should be conducted to ascertain the structure of ownership and the level of competition. The ASCI Report had also stated that the equity ownership on restriction in number of channels owned as provided in the Draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill are inadequate and needs to be modified.
The Secretary instead of giving his considered view dealt with the issue of monopoly in the context of DTH.
The Ministry, therefore, should formulate their stand on the issue of cross media ownership in coordination with TRAI after taking into account all related aspects and the prevalent international practice followed by the suitable legislation/guidelines in this regard.
Standing Committee on Information Technology (2011-12) report granted extension
Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha has granted extension of time till the last week of the next Session i.e. Monsoon Session of Parliament to the Standing Committee on Information Technology for presentation of Reports on three Bills viz. ‘The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Second Amendment Bill, 2011’, ‘The Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill, 2011’ and ‘The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011’.