CABLE
OPERATORS’ THREAT TO MPs UNDESIRABLE : SUSHMA
Reacting to the Press statements attributed to the Cable Operators
regarding the passage of the Cable Amendment Bill in the Rajya
Sabha, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Smt. Sushma
Swaraj said that transaction of Legislative Business is entirely
the prerogative of the Parliament and is governed by well laid
down Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business for the two Houses.
No external pressure can or should influence the legislative procedure
of business. Further, reacting to some Press reports that a section
of the Cable Operators had reportedly threatened to cut off the
cable connections of those Members of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
who oppose the passing of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation)
Amendment Bill 2002, she said, this was an unfortunate and undesirable
development. Such an attitude on the part of Cable Operators is
neither in their own interest, nor in the interest of the general
public.
She clarified that the CAS Bill has not been withdrawn by the
Government. Rather, it has been temporarily de-listed from the
business of Rajya Sabha and the reason for this is that the Government
is seeking to evolve a general consensus on this consumer friendly
legislation. It will be recalled that this Bill was passed in
the Lok Sabha with the support of all Parties. The Minister is
meeting leaders of various political parties to clarify doubts
or apprehensions, if any, that they might have against any provision
of the Bill.
The Information and Broadcasting Minister re-iterated her advice
to the Cable Operators, as given to them in their meeting with
her yesterday also, to exercise restraint and desist from adopting
a path of confrontation, particularly when Government was keen
to get the CAS Bill passed in the interest of the consumers.
