Opp To Be Consulted On Prasar Bharti Bill

The government would consult opposition parties on the Prasar Bharti Bill and make changes if necessary, Union civil aviation and information & broadcasting minister C M Ibrahim said yesterday.

Ibrahim said consultations would be held with opposition leaders on the bill, including the regulation of foreign television channels, after the cabinet sub-committee discussed it.

Ibrahim said many of the foreign channels were seeking to telecast programmes which were clearly against Indian culture. It is only in India that such a hue and cry is being raised about regulating foreign channels, he said.

Asked about the Congress Working Committees decision to lend only issue-based support to the United Front government, the minister replied: It is welcome. When 13 parties are being consulted, what is wrong in consulting the 14th party?