The Hindu : CAS: Govt. may resort to coercion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 19, 2003

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CAS: Govt. may resort to coercion

By Anita Joshua

NEW DELHI JUNE 18. The crucial talks on the Conditional Access System (CAS) broke up today with the Government pulling out, disappointed with the rates quoted by the broadcasters for the pay channels, as the suggested price range would double the cable bill for the average viewer in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, where the new regime is to be introduced on July 15.

And, with its efforts at persuasion failing to bear fruit, the Government said coercive measures might be adopted to regulate the cable industry.

Though the Information and Broadcasting (I and B) Secretary, Pawan Chopra, was unwilling to elaborate on the measures being considered, he indicated an amendment to the Cable Act to rein in the main players in the industry.

According to Mr. Chopra, the rates suggested by the broadcasters were "unworkable" as it would take the monthly cable bill to well over Rs. 500 post-CAS, whereas the Government had been pushing for offering the entire package — inclusive of the free-to-air channels, pay channels and Set-Top Box rentals — for Rs. 200.

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