MAJOR INITIATIVES BY I&B MINISTRY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTRY TABLED
ANNUAL REPORT
The year 2002-2003
has been an year of very far-reaching initiatives taken by the
Ministry of Information & broadcasting, both policy-wise and
for infrastructure development and pro-active facilitation. The
Annual Report of the Ministry submitted to the Parliament lists
the passing of the Bill to amend the Cable Television Networks
Act to introduce the Conditional Access System, approval to the
Community Radio Broadcasting, approval of a large number of uplinking
proposals, implementation of the first phase of the privatization
of FM Radio Channels, opening up of the print media for foreign
investment, implementation of special packages for improvement
of AIR and Doordarshan services in Jammu & Kashmir, North
Eastern Region and Island territories, introduction of Digital
Terrestrial Transmission of Doordarshan in four Metros setting
up of market section Film Bazaar during the International Film
Festival 2002 (IFFI-202) and processing of DTH proposals.
Conditional
Access System (CAS)
Immediately after
the passing of the Bill, the Ministry issued the notification
mandating the Conditional Access System in four Metros – Delhi,
Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai in the first phase. The objective
is to protect the TV viewers from the frequent and arbitrary hike
in cable rates. It would enable the consumers to choose and pay
for the channels they wish to watch. It will ensure that every
subscriber receives at least a minimum number of channels of different
genres at a reasonable cost. It is also expected to bring in transparency
in the figures of the viewer-ship.
Community Radio
Broadcasting
During the year,
the Government approved the Community Radio Broadcasting Scheme
for granting licences for small Community Radio Stations by well-established
educational institutions like the universities, IIMs, IITs and
residential schools. The services would operate on non-commercial
basis for the larger benefit of the community, focussing on education,
health, environment, agriculture, rural and community development.
No licence fee would be charged, only a bank guarantee of Rs.
50,000 is stipulated for ensuring timely performance.
Private Radio
FM Channels
Following the
opening up of FM Radio Broadcasting, five private FM stations
were operationalized during the year at Mumbai. Seven companies
have also deposited Rs. 72.72 crores and nine additional stations
in Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai are expected to be operationalized
this month. Five FM stations have already been operationalized
in Bangalore, Indore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Pune.
Special package
for J&K
A special package
worth Rs. 430 crores is being implemented to improve AIR and Doordarshan
services in J&K. Several new AIR/DD relay stations/transmitters
of various power/studios/earth stations etc., are being set up
and many existing facilities are being upgraded. The package also
includes development of special software and increase in transmission
of Kashir Channel. The implementation of the package, not only
will strengthen AIR/DD coverage in J&K and border areas but
will also effectively counter anti-India propaganda from across
the border.
Special Package
for North East
To improve and
expand AIR and Doordarshan coverage in North Eastern Region and
Island territories, a special package is being implemented. The
schemes include upgradation of five High Power Transmitters, two
Earth Stations and 16 satellite videophones, upgradation of captive
Earth Stations at Guwahati, Shilong and Ittanagar and installation
of 10 kilowatt FM transmitters at Itanagar, Kohima and Port Blair.
A pilot project is being implemented in 160 villages in the region
to extend Doordarshan coverage on KU Band in the inaccessible
areas, to be extended to similar villages in phases.
Satellite Uplinking
Policy
The progressive
liberalization of the Uplinking Policy has been successfully implemented,
resulting in India becoming an uplinking Hub in the region. As
many as 27 companies were permitted to uplink 80 channels and
19 companies allowed to set up 21 teleports. One company permitted
to uplink for newsgathering and distribution.
Foreign Investment
in Print Media
After a comprehensive
review of the 1955 Cabinet Resolution, the Government revised
the policy to allow (i) publication of Indian editions of foreign
scientific, technical, speciality magazines/journals/periodicals,
(ii) upto 74 per cent foreign investment in Indian entities publishing
scientific, technical, speciality magazines/journals/periodicals
on a case-by-case basis and (iii) Foreign Direct Investment upto
26 per cent of paid up capital in Indian entities, published newspapers
and periodicals dealing with news and current affairs. This would
be beneficial to students and professionals and meet the need
to have an induction to the best international practices in the
print media segment.
Film Bazaar
For the first
time, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, the NFDC, CII
and FICCI set up a market sector Film Bazaar during the 33rd
International Film Festival of India in New Delhi in October 2002.
This provided a facilitative platform for the film industry and
participants to conduct business. This forms a part of the shortages
envisaged by the Ministry to promote films produced in India as
also in recognition that there is a clear cross over in the overseas
audiences for Indian films. The Bazaar also provided a showcase
for facilities and locations for filming in India.
Review of FDI
in Advertising & Film Section
The Government
has now allowed FDI upto 100 per cent in the advertising and the
film sectors on the automatic approval route without any other
conditions. Any concerns relating to security, cultural values,
country’s image projection etc., can be addressed through existing
safeguards in terms of programme and advertising codes for electronic
media and the rules, laws and practice prevalent to regulate production
and exhibition of films.
