rediff.com: LS passes the amended cable TV Bill

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to regulate operation of cable TV networks by making it mandatory to access pay channels through an "addressable system" with the government refuting charges that the move was made under pressure from manufacturers of set-top boxes.

Replying to a debate on the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Bill, 2002, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj described it as an "elixir" of all ills facing the consumer who is exploited by cable operators and broadcasters.

However, she did not specify whether the consumer would bear the entire cost of the set-top box, which would be needed to view pay channels.

She said the set-top box could cost between Rs 1500 and Rs 2000 depending on the demand.

Angry over allegations that the government had brought the Bill under pressure from the manufacturers of set-top boxes which could involve a market worth Rs 120 billion-Rs 280 billion, Swaraj said, "I dismiss such allegations. It shows perverse mentality of those indulging in such propaganda outside Parliament. This way the government cannot bring any amendment."

She said the amendment would provide free-to-air channel as "basic food" for the consumers while the viewing of pay channels would depend on the "purchasing power" of consumers.

Earlier, participating in the debate, members said the set-top box may be difficult to afford for several consumers and the government should ensure that the expense does not have to be entirely borne by them and they are not burdened by the measure.

Maintaining that the Bill had been brought to protect the interest of consumers, Swaraj said the government will also ensure that cable operators did not suffer losses.

She said the government will not fix subscription rates of pay channels as with "minimum intervention it wanted to give maximum benefit to the consumers".

Asserting the Bill would bring uniformity in subscription rates and end any arbitrariness, she said there were 33 pay channels at present but the number could change.

She said separate notifications would be issued by the government keeping in view the system of cable networking prevailing in a particular town.

Stating that the consumer will be able to decide which pay channels to subscribe to, the minister said it was a "remedy needed right now to resolve current problems".

Swaraj dismissed allegations that Doordarshan was still under government control saying the fact that the recent exit polls by it forecasting Bharatiya Janata Party Janata Party's defeat in four assembly elections reflected the impartiality of Prasar Bharati.

The Bill, passed by a voice vote, empowers the government to mandate viewing of pay channels through a set-top box while free-to-air channels can continue to be received in the existing receiver sets.

The government will prescribe the maximum amount to be paid by the subscriber to the cable service provider for the "basic service tier", comprising a bouquet of notified free-to-air channels, and determine the number of channels to be included in the tier.



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