Broadcast regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is likely to fix the maximum retail price for television channels under the Conditional Access System regime, which will require a nine-month transition period as per the consensus emerging on the matter, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.
"Fixing of MRP for television channels will fall in the domain of TRAI as the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, does not provide for fixation of MRP," information and broadcasting minister P R Dasmunsi said in a written reply in the Lower House.
Dasmunsi said the government had held a series of meetings with the stakeholders involved, including broadcasters, multi-system operators, cable operators and consumer organisations.
"During discussions in the aforesaid meetings, there was a broad consensus that about nine months time is required to take preparatory steps and to implement CAS smoothly," the minister said, adding that "as such no exact time-frame can be indicated."
Dasmunsi said there was a 'strong view' from the meetings with the industry players and other stakeholders that the government should fix the MRP for channels. As TRAI was looking after tariff orders, it would be body to deciding on MRP.
While CAS is already under implementation in Chennai, a roll-out in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolata is still awaited. The Delhi High Court had recently asked the government to implement the cable delivery system in the three metros at the earliest.
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