(a) whether many of the TV channels operating in the country have failed to comply with the licensing conditions;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has issued notices to some companies running TV channels to provide information on their ownership and management control;
(d) if so, the details of the TV channels which have not responded to the notices; and
(e) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
(SHRI MANISH TEWARI)
(a) to (e) Ministry had undertaken a comprehensive review of the companies permitted to operate private Satellite TV channels. During the review it was found that 6 companies had changed their board of directors without prior approval of the Ministry. As this is a violation of the clause 5.10 of the Uplinking Guidelines, a Show Cause Notice was issued to these companies. It was also found that 15 companies had effected change in their Share Holding Pattern in violation of clause 3.1.4 and 3.1.5 of the Uplinking Guidelines. These Companies have also been issued Show Cause Notices. 11 TV channels permitted to 11 companies did not respond to the notices sent by the Ministry. They have been issued show cause notices and permission of one has also been cancelled. Apart from this, permissions of 71 channels have been cancelled till date due to reasons of non-operationalisation, non-submission of PBG (Performance Bank Guarantee) or surrender of permission.