The Hindu Business Line : State-level panels mooted for CAS implementation

IT was stocktaking time by the State and Central Government on the implementation of the Conditional Access System (CAS). And the emphasis was on proper dissemination of information.

According to multi-system operators (MSOs), questions on publicity, increasing consumer awareness and availability of set-top boxes (STBs) were also raised. "We told them about our plans to educate the consumers," said a MSO.

Meanwhile, the I&B Minister, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, also responded to the letter sent by the Chief Minister, Ms Shiela Dikshit, and said that for the implementation of CAS, the Central and State Governments should work together.

"I have written letters to CMs of Maharashtra and West Bengal impressing upon the need of having State-level implementation committees," he said.

He also added that there was no question of arbitrary fixation of charges as the cost of free-to-air channels has been mandated by law at Rs 72 per month plus taxes. The pricing of pay channels have been left to the broadcasters and MSOs and these will be determined by the market forces.

Earlier in the day, the Congress and Shiv Sena expressed concern over problems faced by television viewers in the face of protest by cable operators to implement the controversial CAS in metros. During zero hour, the Congress member, Mr Kapil Sibal, said viewers were hit hard in South Delhi as some cable operators played pranks by switching off at crucial times like when India-Australia cricket match was on at Adelaide. The problem has risen as Government had failed to fulfil its promise to make available set-top boxes at Rs 2,000-3,000, he said. The equipment was costing as high as Rs 6,000-7,000 when the television sets were available at Rs 10,000, he said.

The Shiv Sena members, Mr Satish Pradhan and Mr Sanjay Nirupam, also demanded a full-fledged discussion in the House on how the Government proposed to tackle this problem.

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