New Delhi : The Information and Broadcasting ministry is determined to complete the implementation of Phase III and IV of digitisation before the end of 2015 and it is turning all possible stones to achieve the deadline. As part of the initiative the ministry has proposed to revive the Task Force to oversee the effective implementation of digitisation process.
During the implementation of DAS in Phase I and Phase ll, the Task Force served as an effective platform to discuss and address various issues arising out of digitisation process. The Task Force also reviewed the progress made towards the digitisation from time to time.
The new task force will constitute Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) principal advisor for broadcast and cable satellite, I&B additional secretary chairperson, I&B Ministry joint secretary broadcasting, representative from the MSO Alliance, five independent MSOs one each from north, south, east, west and north east regions, five registered LCO associations one each from north, south, east, west and north east regions, representatives from the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, News Broadcasters Association, Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India, DTH Association, FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, CEAMA, Department of Telecommunications, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, DG: Doordarshan, DG: All India Radio, BECIL, BIS, five prominent consumer organisations one each from north, south, east, west and north east regions and 33 state level nodal officers one each from the states/union territories governments.
The task force would act as an interface between the government and the industry in matters related to implementation of DAS in the cable TV sector and monitor the implementation of DAS. It also will have to analyse the roadblocks that may come in the way of digitisation and suggest measures and the Task Force may co-opt any member(s) as may be considered necessary from time to time.
It may be noted that the initial phase of digitisation faced plenty of road blocks from states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal with plenty of practical issues and the last phase is roll out is going to be even more complicated due to various factors and the task force is expected to play a vital role in identifying solution for issue that may crop up at various levels in coordination with govt and other parties involved.
