(10 October 2006 8:00 pm)

NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today assured fellow parliamentarians that the roadmap for CAS has been smoothened.

Apprising members of the Consultative Committee attached to his ministry on CAS and its effect on consumers, Dasmunsi enumerated the steps taken to put in place the mechanism.

According to the minister, regulatory framework related to tariff, transmission and other issues have been finalized and notified by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for smooth and successful roll out of the CAS by the stipulated date of 31 December 2006.

The committee was informed that the ministry would hold a month long campaign before the enforcement of CAS for enhancing consumer awareness.

Multi Service Operators and cable operators had to finalize their rate structure by 10 October, 2006 and inter-connect agreements have to be in place by 15 October, the minister informed the parliamentary panel.

The members of the panel were unanimous in suggesting that consumer interest should be "protected at all cost".

Giving details of the measures already taken by TRAI and the regulatory framework for the purpose, the members were assured by Dasmunsi of all possible steps to ensure that consumers do not suffer in any way.

Those who attended the meeting included Kirip Chaliha, S. Mallikarjunaiah, Hannan Mollah, Mahendra Prasad Nishad, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Ramdas Athawale, Vijay J. Darda, Ajay Maroo, Shatrughan Sinha, Dara Singh, Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya, Ms Usha Verma, Ms Nirmala Deshpande and senior officials from the I&B ministry and Trai.