March 21, 2002

'11'

    The Government of India has permitted 13 companies to set up 14 uplinking hubs/teleports in the country.

    The Government has liberalized the Uplinking Policy to permit private companies incorporated in India with permissible Foreign/NRI/OCB/PIO equity to set up uplinking hub for leasing or hiring out their facilities to the broadcasters. All TV channels, irrespective of their ownership, including equity structure, or management control have been permitted to uplink from India provided they undertake to comply with the Broadcasting (Programme and Advertising) Codes laid down by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Government has also announced in the recent budget rationalization of customs duty on Earth Station equipment.

    This information was given by Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Sushma Swaraj in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.