The Hindu : Centre `looking into' scrapping CAS in Chennai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 02, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Centre `looking into' scrapping CAS in Chennai

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 1. The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry will ``look into'' the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's request for scrapping the Conditional Access System (CAS) in Chennai.

Confirming that Ms. Jayalalithaa had written to him, the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was looking into the issue of implementation of the CAS.

``In Chennai, there are mixed voices. This morning, I spoke to a large number of people. I am getting representation from many other consumers, who are happy that they are paying less.''

Chennai was the first metropolitan city to implement the CAS, on September 1, 2003. The decision on the CAS was announced on January 14, 2003, and the Government said that the system would be implemented initially in four metropolitan cities. Following protests, it was not implemented in the other metros. ``Unfortunately, the CAS in Delhi has been a victim of competing political interests. There are other complaints also,'' Mr. Prasad told presspersons here today.

On a timeframe for deciding on implementation of the system, he said that as the TRAI was an independent body, the Ministry could not set a date. According to the TRAI, the final consultation paper would be called for in early February. Opinions of experts and consumers would be solicited to finalise the norms for regulating cable and broadcasting services.

The Ministry wanted to take a holistic view of the issue inclusive of all technologies — terrestrial, cable, Direct-To-Home (DTH), interconnectivity and broadband.

On the performance of Doordarshan news, he said that though the advertisement revenue fixed was only Rs. 2 crores this financial year, the channel made Rs. 6 crores.

On the broadcast of the upcoming cricket series between India and Pakistan, the Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer, K.S. Sarma, said the organisers had invited bids for radio broadcast. ``We have given our bid for India. I am expecting that All India Radio will cover them fully...As for television (telecast), it is under process.'' Efforts were being made to get the rights for terrestrial telecast because it was learnt that irrespective of the contract the Pakistan Cricket Board signed with Ten Sports, PTV had been permitted to telecast terrestrially. ``We are making a plea that we too should be permitted. It will be decided in the next two weeks.''

On narrowcasting for the benefit of farmers, Mr. Sarma said that at present 24 transmitters offered the facility. By the end of next year, 100 transmitters would do it and by 2006-end, 350 would do the job. By the end of the 10th Five-Year Plan, 1,000 transmitters of Doordarshan would be doing narrowcasting.

On Girish Karnad's resignation as chairman of the jury at the Mumbai International Film Festival, Mr. Prasad said that the Government would not interfere with the festival. ``Mr. Karnad is an eminent creative person. I wish he had continued.''

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