Question : Mandatory DD Channels

(a) whether the Government has made any changes in the list of mandatory Doordarshan channels required to be telecast by Multi System Operators (MSO)/Cable Operators in the country, if so, the details thereof along with the existing list of mandatory Doordarshan channels;

(b) whether the Government has received complaints against Cable Operators for violation of mandatory regulations with respect of airing mandatory Doordarshan channels in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise along with the action taken/being taken by the Government on such complaints so far;

(c) whether the cases of violation of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 have come to the notice of the Government during the said period, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and Operator-wise along with the action taken/being taken by the Government against such violators;

(d) whether the Government proposes any changes in the said Act to curb the increasing number of complaints against Cable Operators in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a): Yes Madam. As per notification of 6.9.2013, it was mandated to carry 24 channels of Doordarshan including Lok Sabha channel, Rajya Sabha channel and Gyan Darshan channel in DAS (Digital Addressable System) areas and 9 channels in non-DAS areas. On the launch of Kisan channel the number of mandatory channels were increased to 25 in DAS and 10 in non-DAS areas vide notification dated 25.5.2015.
Details of the existing mandatory channels are given in Annexure.

(b)& (c): As per Clause 2(a) of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, District Magistrate, or a Sub-divisional Magistrate, or a Commisioner of Police are the authorized officer within their local limits of jurisdiction and as per the Act, the authorized officers have the powers to take action against the violations of the provisions of the Cable Act including non-carriage of mandatory channels. Ministry does not keep data of action taken by State Governments. However, on receipt of a complaint in February 2014 that some Multi System Operators (MSOs) were not carrying some of the mandatory channels, an advisory was issued to the concerned MSOs. Another advisory was also issued to defaulting MSOs on 12.06.2015. 11 (Eleven) workshops held in different places in the country were conducted for the Nodal Officers of States and Union Territories for implementation of Phase-III of Digitalization wherein it was also emphasized that State/UT Governments should ensure that MSOs/LCOs carry all the mandatory channels and to take action against the defaulters by the authorized officers at the time of issue of MSOs registrations for DAS notified areas. All MSO applicants are required to certify that they are carrying mandatory channels and are advised to carry these mandatorily, if not so.


(d)& (e): The provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 are adequate to deal with the complaints against Cable Operators in the country.