The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Raj TV asked to discontinue broadcast of two channels

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 01, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Raj TV asked to discontinue broadcast of two channels

By Ramya Kannan

CHENNAI, JULY 31 . The Ministry of Communications has sent a notice to Raj Television Network to discontinue transmission of two of its channels - Raj Music and Raj Vissa - with immediate effect.

In a communication to the television network dated July 28, the Ministry indicated that it was allowed to uplink two satellite channels - Raj TV and Raj Digital Plus - as per its licence P4790/1 (through THAICOM -3 satellite with a transponder bandwith of 9 MHz).

However, it had been observed that Raj Television Network was uplinking four channels - Raj TV, Raj Digital Plus, Raj Music and Raj Vissa (Telugu). Vissa channel was launched on June 23, 2003.

Violation of terms

"Terms and conditions annexed to the decision letter... dated 30.4.2001 (which is part of the licence) clearly stipulate that M/S.Raj Television Network Ltd has to obtain separate Wireless Planning and Co-ordination (WPC) licence for every Satellite TV channel utilising the teleport facility in addition to appropriate clearances from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is observed that no permission has been taken from the I and B Ministry for those additional two channels," it said. The WPC Wing of the Ministry of Communications grants operating licence for establishment, maintenance and operation of uplinking facility.

Apparently, the notice was sent after receipt of letters from a complainant from Andhra Pradesh about a week ago.

Consequent to the discontinuation of uplinking of the two channels, the Communications Ministry officials have also asked for a compliance report from the Network.

10-day time for reply

In addition, the note also requests the Network to explain "within 10 days from the date of the notice, why penal action should not be taken against them under sections 20 and 20 A of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 for the violations."

In case the reply is not received within the stipulated period, action under the relevant sections of the Act may be initiated against the company, it added.

Representatives of Raj Television Network confirmed that the two channels had been taken off air, but denied that it was because of licencing issues. "The channels could not be aired because of technical problems with the teleport. It has not got anything to do with licences. Transmission will be resumed on Monday," a representative explained.

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