The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday reiterated its stand that the Central and the state governments or their entities should not be allowed to enter the television broadcasting or channel distribution businesses.
Last month, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had made a reference to the Trai seeking its views on allowing the government or its entities to enter the business of broadcasting and / or distribution of television channels.
The immediate impact of Trai’s recommendations will be on Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd, a public sector undertaking of the state government, which is yet to get the digital addressable system (DAS) licence even after five months of applying. Speaking at the 57th National Development Council meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had said, “A simple request from a state PSU for a DAS licence for the Chennai city has not been granted on totally extraneous considerations.”
Trai also said that the government should provide an appropriate exit route to government-owned companies that have already entered the distribution business.
Suitable provisions may be incorporated in the proposed new legislation on broadcasting to provide for an appropriate exit route for such entities, which have already been granted permission but are likely to be hit by the proposed disqualifications, the regulator said.
On Prasar Bharati, Trai said the arm’s-length relationship between the public broadcaster and the Central government needs to be further strengthened.