I&B min considering reservation for local STB manufacturers

The I&B ministry is considering providing reservation for local manufacturers of set top boxes (STBs) in its ongoing digitisation drive.
The ministry said this in a statement tabled in Lok Sabha by I&B minister Manish Tewari on action taken on recommendations of a parliamentary committee.
The panel had earlier appreciated the ministry's submission for providing 40 per cent reservation of STBs for domestic manufacturers.
Issue of providing reservation for local STB manufacturers is also being discussed, the ministry said in the statement.
While the government is pushing for mandatory digitisation of cable sector by December, 2014, electronics manufacturing industries of countries like China and Taiwan have been the major beneficiary of this move as Indian manufacturers of STBs have lagged behind.

The I&B ministry also informed that it is planning to set up a National Centre of Excellence for 'Animation, Gaming and Special Effects' in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

It said that it had taken up the creation of this centre on priority with appraisal agencies like Department of Expenditure, Department of Economic Affairs and Planning Commission.
It said that Planning Commission had advised that the scheme being in PPP mode with cost less than Rs 100 crore has to be appraised by PPPAC and advisor (Infrastructure).
The ministry said that a discussion with the representative of the Planning Commission was held to finalise the mode of operation for implementation of the project.

It added that a revised proposal in PPP format is now being referred to Planning Commission's Advisor (Infrastructure) and once financial approval of the scheme is obtained, process for selection of a financial consultant and transaction advisor will be undertaken.