Union information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said that the Cabinet has decided to approve revision in the guidelines for providing Direct-to-home television (DTH) services in the country.
Addressing a press briefing, Javadekar said that license for DTH would be issued for 20 years and the license fee would be collected on a quarterly basis. Previously, the license for all service providers was issued for a duration of 10 years, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
“Cabinet today decided to approve revision in guidelines for providing DTH services in the country. Now, DTH license to be issued for 20 years, the license fee will be collected quarterly,” the Union minister said.
Earlier, the TRAI issued a consultation paper on December 7 seeking views and comments with regard to the regulatory framework recommended for DTH services. A written response was sought from stakeholders on the consultation paper by December 14 and on the feedback by December 19.
The regulatory authority had first issued recommendations on “Regulatory Framework for Platform Services” for DTH and multi-system operators (MSOs) services in 2014 which were referred back by the broadcast ministry in October 2020. MSO is defined as an authorised service provider that provides cable TV services to its subscribers.
Javaderkar during the briefing also said the cabinet approved the merger of Films Division, Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Archives of India, and Children’s Film Society, India with National Film Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, Union minister Thawarchand Gehlot, who was also a part of the briefing said the Cabinet had approved a post-matric scholarship scheme worth Rs 59,000 crore for over 4 crore Scheduled Caste (SC) students in five years. He added that the Centre would spent an amount of Rs 35,534 and the balance would be spent by state governments.
