Over 70 more pvt satellite TV channels want to operate in country

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) As many as 71 more private satellite TV channels have sought permission to operate in the country.

The proposals were at various stages of scrutiny, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs P R Dasmunsi told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

The Ministry has so far permitted 222 private satellite TV channels to uplink from India.

Six TV channels uplinked from abroad have also been permitted to downlink in India. In addition to this, 54 foreign TV channels have been provisionally permitted to downlink in India.

The criteria for grant of permission for uplink are prescribed under the Guidelines for Uplinking from India, the Minister said.

All programmes of satellite TV channels transmitted or re-transmitted through cable service are required to adhere to the provisions of the Programme/Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder.

The channels are required to keep a record of programmes downlinked for a period of 90 days and to produce the same before any agency of the Government as and when required, as prescribed under the downlinking guidelines.

The Government has also sanctioned setting up of Electronic Media Monitoring Centre to monitor contents of satellite TV channels, Mr Dasmunsi said.

UNI