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DELHI: The Indian government today clarified that it was not working towards a
mechanism to give pubcaster Doordarshan the sole rights to sporting events in
the country. The government, however, has issued an order on 5 April 2006 that
mandates live feeds of a number of specified sporting events of national importance
held in India or abroad to be shared with Prasar Bharati by private broadcasters. In case of cricket events,
these shall include all matches featuring India and the finals and semi finals
of international events, information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi
informed Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) today.He also said that the
government has no proposal to set up a regulatory authority to monitor and regulate
earnings through telecasting of sporting events. However, the government is
contemplating establishment of an autonomous authority to regulate the broadcasting
sector.The minister, however, did not give any time frame to bring about legislation
to regulate the broadcasting sector. Earlier, Dasmunsi had said that his
ministry was working towards introducing a Broadcasting Bill in Parliament in
the monsoon session, which started on
24 July. Severe criticism of a
draft Bill, doing the rounds of various ministries for feedback on it, has prompted
the I&B ministry for the moment from not listing it on the agenda of Parliament’s
present session that will close on 30 August. ALSO READ: I&B
ministry fails to list B'cast Bill for Parliament
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