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| indiantelevision.com's Breaking News |
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| Convergence legislation 6 months away
- Mahajan |
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Indiantelevision.com
Team
(28 November 2002 2:00 pm) |
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| NEW DELHI: India will have to wait for
at least six months before having a legislation to regulate and govern
the convergence space encompassing the sectors of telecom, information
technology and broadcasting. |
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"I foresee the Convergence Bill taking a
final shape (after the suggestion of the parliamentary Standing Committee
on Telecom & IT) sometime in May," telecom, IT and parliamentary affairs
minister Pramod Mahajan said to a query put to him by indiantelevision.com
on the sidelines of the ongoing India Economic Summit organized by
the World Economic Forum and the CII.
Asked about the status of the Convergence Communication Bill, which
had been referred to the Standing Committee last year, Mahajan said,
"The parliamentary panel has just submitted its report and in the
beginning only some people have said whether the time is ripe for
a Convergence legislation. I have not yet gone into the suggestion
but will take a holistic approach once the report is studied."
The Standing Committee, which submitted its report a few days ago
to Parliament, has highlighted the fact some people who had deposed
before it and sent information on the Bill had questioned the very
need for such a piece of legislation at the moment.
According to Mahajan, if there is a need, after studying the Standing
panel's report, 'another round of debate can be had in Parliament.
"But I see the Bill being taken up (for discussion) by the Parliament
only during the Budget session and that too in the latter half of
the session after the (annual) Budget (of the country) has been discussed,"
he added.
Mahajan said that he has asked his ministry to go into the Standing
panel's report on the Convergence Communication Bill that will take
into account various comments collated by the panel while preparing
its report. "once that has happened only then I can make up my mind
and if need be we can have another round of discussion (on the issue)
in Parliament."
Asked whether he is in favour of an overall legislation for the convergence
space, Mahajan said, "Personally I am in favour of such a piece of
legislation because sometime or other it has to come. Earlier the
work on it begins, the better." |
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