|
THE
DTH IMPASSE: A CHRONOLOGY
|
|
DATE
|
EVENT
|
| December
1996: |
The
United Front Government under Prime Minister Deve Gowda
issues a notification saying that a licence has to be
obtained for Ku-band DTH services. Many companies, including
Star TV, apply for a licence. But government delays
the process. |
| 26
March 1997: |
Star
TV holds a press conference in Delhi detailing their
DTH plans. Star TV Asia CEO Gary Davey and others attend
the function where a live demo is given. |
| First
week April 1997: |
The
then communication minister Beni Prasad Verma signs
a policy setting the terms and conditions for granting
licences to DTH players. Two holidays follow and it
cannot be notified. |
| 11
April 1997: |
Gowda
government falls as Congress withdraws support. |
| May
1997: |
I&B
minister Jaipal Reddy introduces the broadcast bill
in Parliament which gets referred to a joint parliamentary
committee. |
| July
1997: |
The
United Front Government under Prime Minister I.K. Gujaral
issues another notification banning maintaining or keeping
equipment capable of receiving TV signals over 4800
Mhz (Ku-band) till a comprehensive broadcast law is
passed. |
| November
1997: |
Gujaral
government falls. |
| December
1998: |
I&B
minister Pramod Mahajan with the BJP-led government
says the issue of DTH cannot wait till the passage of
the broadcast bill. A decision has to be taken soon. |
| January-February
1999: |
The
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee sets up a group
of ministers (GoM), comprising ministers of I&B, communications,
defence, finance and home, to come up with recommendations
on DTH.Promod Mahajan said that DTH is as powerful as
a Nuclear bomb. |
| February-April
Ist week 1999: |
Lot
of study papers on DTH compiled for GoM, which fails
to meet formally even once. But hopes of favourable
recommendations abound as I&B minister admits in private
he hopes to make an announcement in Parliament once
it reassembles after a fortnight's recess. |
| 17
April 1999 |
The
BJP-led government loses the vote of confidence on the
floor of the Lower House of parliament. |
| October
1999 |
National
Democratic Alliance comes to power in the centre |
| 18
October 2000 |
Jaitley
sworn in as I & B Minister give indication as they
will move fast on the DTH front, though cautiously.
DD wants an exclusive licence for two years. |
| 15
March 2000 |
Murdoch
pushes for DTH service in India |
| 10
April 2000 |
Jaitley
said Prime Minister A B Vajpayee had constituted a committee
chaired by the Union Minister to work out details of
direct-to-home (DTH) services and uplinking facilities.
|
| 4
October 2000 |
Sushama
Swaraj again takes on as I & B Minister, promises
Television-for-Family |
| 16
October 2000 |
Star
TV's James Murdoch, Bruce Churchill and Peter Mukherjee
meet Swaraj |
| 29
Octobet 2000 |
GoM
committee headed by Home Minister L K Advani finalises
most of the recommendations for lifting DTH ban. Law
minister Arun Jaitley asked to frame legal ramifications
on DTH. |
| 30
October 2000 |
GoM
committee recommends opening up DTH. I & B Minister
Sushama Swaraj says that she will submit a note to the
Indian Cabinet for a final decision. |
| 2
November 2000 |
Cabinet
Approves lifting DTH ban. Issues notification. |
