The Hindu : Front Page : I&B Ministry withdraws Bill on broadcasting

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 12, 2006

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Front Page

I&B Ministry withdraws Bill on broadcasting

Anita Joshua

NEW DELHI: The Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has withdrawn the controversial Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2006, from the Cabinet to facilitate wider consultations with stakeholders before the Government takes a final view.

The decision comes just ahead of the consultations the Ministry has scheduled with media heads for August 14. With many a media baron pointing out the futility in having such a discussion without studying the provisions of the Bill in detail, the Ministry was left with little option but to withdraw it.

Once a Ministry refers a decision to the Cabinet, it is covered by the Official Secrets Act, and the only way it can be brought into public domain is to withdraw it formally. Faced with criticism for pushing through a decision without consulting the stakeholders, earlier this month the Ministry decided to write to the Cabinet Secretariat articulating its decision to withdraw the Bill and the accompanying Cabinet note.

On Friday, the draft of the proposed Bill and a consultation paper were put on the Ministry's website to elicit views from the general public and stakeholders. Comments would be accepted for a month, by which time the Ministry is hopeful of ironing out the rough spots in consultation with the media.

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