Govt to bring changes in Cable Regulation Act: Soni

Chandigarh, Feb 25 (PTI) The Centre is in the process ofbringing changes in the existing Cable Regulation Act, UnionInformation and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said today.

Soni also said both the Doordarshan and Akashvani willbe fully digitalised by 2017.

"A big change is needed in the Cable Regulation Act, asat the moment the redressal lies with the state governments,"she told reporters on the sidelines of Akashvani Annual Awardsfunction here.

"The ministry is looking at the working of cablenetworks at various places .....the Act needed to be enforced,but the redressal lies with state governments," Soni said.

In some states, including Punjab, opposition partieshave been crying foul over the alleged total control of theruling party over the cable network.

Stating that Doordarshan and Akashvani will be fullydigitalised by 2017, she said, "The Centre has been spendingRs 843 crore for upgradation of studios and towers ofAkashvani and DD."

Noting that the radio sector was still growing, Sonisaid that industry reports have projected 16 per cent growthof the sector by 2014.

In the third phase, as many as 800 FM radio stationswill be opened in the country, the minister said, adding, "Forevery one lakh population, there will be one FM station."

She said as private players were entering in largenumbers in FM sector, the third phase of FM will bee-auctioned.

The Akashvani had been digitalising old classical andlight music kept in its libraries, she said.

Soni said the government would construct ''living museum''housing old equipments at the Akashvani building in thecapital.