I&B ministry threatens action over not broadcasting DD channels

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has warned of action against Multi-System Operators and cable operators after they were found to be not carrying mandatory Doordarshan channels on their networks.

"Whereas, it has been found that many MSOs/Cable Operators are not carrying mandatory channels notified by the ministry....Which is a violation of Section 8 of the Cable Act," the ministry has said in its advisory issued on June 12.

It added that those not showing mandatory channels are liable for action under the Cable Act. Section 8 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act pertains to carrying of mandatory channels by cable operators.

"All MSOs and Cable operators are accordingly advised to carry the mandatory channels in the manner as notified by the Ministry. Any violation of Section 8 of the Cable Act shall invite such action as provided in the Cable TV Act and the Rules framed thereunder as well as the terms and conditions stipulated in the MSO permission, as the case may be," the ministry said.

Under the Cable Act, there are provisions that equipment used for operating the cable television network can be seized in case norms are violated. An authorised officer can also submit a complaint in a court related to violations, officials said.

According to notifications issued by the I&B ministry, in areas where cable TV digitisation has been completed, it is obligatory for the Cable operators to carry 23 channels of Doordarshan including the recently launched Kisan channel. Besides these, the Lok Sabha channel and the Rajya Sabha channel have to be carried, bringing the overall number of such channels to 25 in such areas.

In other areas, cable operators are required to carry eight channels of Doordarshan in addition to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha channels.