Permission to 4 TV channels withdrawn over security clearance

The government today said it has withdrawn permission to four TV channels as security clearance was either denied or taken away.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said that as per provisions of 'Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines', security clearance to the applicant company, its directors and key applicants is a pre-requisite for running TV channels.
"Accordingly, the Government has withdrawn permissions to four TV channels namely 7 SEA, Mahuaa News UP, ABC News and Voice of Nation, due to denial/withdrawal of security clearance by Government of India," Rathore said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

He also added that as per policy guidelines for Private FM Radio Phase III, security clearance is a part of eligibility criterion. "Security clearance to certain companies was withdrawn by Government of India. However, the matter is sub-judice," he said.
In reply to another question, Rathore said Prasar Bharati had informed that an amount of Rs 23.11 crore has been spent in financial year 2014-15 on setting up of DD Kisan channel.