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    The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Smt. Sushma Swaraj explained the salient features of the Conditional Access System (CAS) proposed for the cable networks to the Members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of I & B. She said that most of the mal-practices like under-reporting of number of customers and unwanted telecasts, prevalent in the cable network system could be tackled effectively through the CAS. The system would provide for self-censoring, parental locking and payment of subscription for only those channels, which the customer chooses to view. The system will also help the state governments to collect correct amount of entertainment tax. The Members welcomed the idea of CAS.

    The minister shared the Members’ apprehensions about the possible creation of monopolies, which must be guarded, against considering the emerging convergence scenario. In the case of uplinking and DTH, preventive provisions have already been made to restrict the FDI and cross-media investment. . The Minister agreed with the Members for effective enforcement of the provisions of the amended Cable Television Act so that Doordarshan channels are properly received by the viewers.

    In response to concern expressed by Members’ about the vacancies in the Prasar Bharati Board, Smt. Swaraj said that process to select the Chairman and part time Members, has already been initiated and the Committee under the Chairmanship of Vice President of India has been requested for the same.

    The Minister apprised th members about other major decisions taken recently including Industry status to the Entertainment Sector.

    S/Shri Hannan Mollah, E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, N.K.P.Salve, Balkavi Bairagi, Pritish Nandy, Kartar Singh Duggal and Dr. C.Narayana Reddy attended the meeting.