In a strong signal to those purveying obscenity through television channels, the government has revoked the licence of a channel for a month for showing obscene movies.

The government, which is in the process of setting up a separate regulatory body for monitoring content on various TV channels, has warned 'CineWorld' that if it engaged in similar activities again its licence would be terminated.

"We have tapes to show that the channel had violated the provisions of the Cable TV Network Regulation Act by showing illegal scenes," Information and Broadcasting Secretary Navin Chawla told PTI in New Delhi.

"The government is serious on this issue and will keep a close watch on channels engaging in such activities."

He said the I&B ministry had received many representations from women's groups, consumer organisations and educationists on obscene material being shown on channels.

The government had last month held a workshop with various stakeholders, including cable operators, broadcasters, women and other groups concerned, to discuss, among other things, the content on TV.

Chawla said CMS, an agency, continued to monitor TV channels.