Chennai : The decision of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to reject the requests from the governments of West Bengal and Punjab for permission to enter the broadcasting space toeing the line of the previous UPA governments policy has raised a huge concern over the future of many state government’s initiatives like state owned TV channels and their bid to enter the Cable TV business by acquiring MSO license for DAS.
We received requests from the governments of West Bengal and Punjab for permission to enter the broadcasting space but those were not approved, said the I & B minister Prakash Javadekar. This has put a huge question mark on the future of TN Govt owned Arasu Cable too, even though there was no specific comment on rejecting it, the Centre’s silence on the application despite multiple request from the TN CM Jayalalithaa is an evident factor.
Even state-run cable TV networks will find it tough to get clearance. In case of Arasu Cable TV Corporation, an application of the Tamil Nadu government for digital addressable system (DAS) licence is pending and the new government is in no hurry to give its clearance.
An application of Arasu TV Corporation for multi-system operator (MSO) licence to operate in DAS areas in Tamil Nadu is under examination in light of the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Javadekar told the Lok Sabha.
In December 2012, TRAI had reiterated its stand that government or government-owned entities should not be allowed to enter the business of broadcasting or distribution of television channels. The authority also recommended that in case the central government has already accorded permission to any state government or its entity to enter into the cable distribution platform, then it should provide an appropriate exit route.
There is no certainty now that Arasu will get the nod to operate in DAS areas. Arasu had applied for DAS licence on 5 July 2012 for operating in Chennai and on 23 November 2012 for operating in the rest of Tamil Nadu.
The new I&B minister’s statement indicates that it will be no easy sailing for Arasu to get a DAS licence. With a friendlier regime at the helm, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present the state government’s wish list that included its demand for granting DAS licence to Arasu Cable TV Corporation.
Speaking on another issue, Javadekar said that collection of entertainment tax has seen a quantum jump in cities where DAS has been implemented.
