THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (g): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 336 FOR ANSWER ON 13.3.2003.
(a): Applications have been received from wholly owned foreign companies
for India focussed 24 hour News channels to be uplinked from India. The
extant policy on uplinking of channels from India is at present being re-
looked. Necessary consultations have been held with various Ministries and
the matter is proposed to be taken up by the Cabinet for consideration.
As per DTH guidelines, applicant company for obtaining DTH
license, should be an Indian company registered under Indian Company`s
Act, 1956. Total foreign equity holding including FDI/NRI/OCB/FII in the
applicant company can not exceed 49%. Within the foreign equity, the FDI
component can not exceed 20%.
(b), (c) & (d): Licenses for DTH service will be granted only on fulfillment
of laid down eligibility criteria and compliance with various terms and
conditions prescribed in this regard..
(e): Yes, Sir.
(f) & (g): It has been informed by Space TV Private Limited that STAR
TV has evinced interest in participating as equity shareholders in Space
TV. For the present equity of Rs. 10.01 crore has been put in by individuals
in the employment of Star TV. Further, Space TV has informed that Star
TV will support and assist Space TV in the execution and management of
the DTH project and has agreed to provide its expertise in the management
of Pay TV platforms to Space TV.
