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CAS case: govt. to firm up stand by 16 Jan
NEW DELHI: Conditional access system or CAS moved one step ahead towards likely implementation.
The Indian government today submitted before a Delhi court that by 16 January it would firm up its stand on CAS or addressability in cable homes, which would be conveyed to the court.
After this submission, the Delhi High Court has fixed 23 January 2006 as a final date for hearing of a case relating to implementation of CAS on a petition filed by three multi-system operators (MSOs).
The petitioners, RPG (whose cable business since then has been taken over by Zee Telefilms cable arm Siticable), the Hindujas-controlled InCablenet and Hathway Datacom, had moved the court arguing that suspension of implementation of CAS in 2004 has led to heavy financial losses for the petitioners who had been goaded by the then government in 2003 and 2004 to invest in addressability.
In 2004 after the general elections were held in India, a Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition regime in New Delhi had lost out to another coalition that is now led by the Congress party.
Just before the general polls, the then government had suspended an executive order that mandated rollout of CAS in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
However in Chennai, which had been touted as a test case for CAS, cable homes have had a taste of addressability and where most of the pay channels are available through set-top boxes and on demand.
Since its suspension, political parties have dithered taking a stand on CAS as they feel its implementation might lead to an increase in monthly outflow of money for a cable consumer, which can translate into loss of a vote bank.
Govt. not averse to Trai formula on CAS
The Delhi court case apart, Indiantelevision.com learns that the government is moving towards the idea that suggestions on various methods of implementation of CAS, as enlisted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), could be looked into.
This, sources in the government say, could be a way out of legal logjam, which has been plaguing the issue of CAS for long.
However, it might be pointed out here that even the present government has refrained from taking any stand on CAS, saying the issue is being still studied by various States where it was first supposed to be implemented.
Trai had submitted its recommendations on CAS to the information and broadcasting ministry in September-October 2004.
Broadcast and cable sector regulator had given the government three various options to choose from in the case of conditional access system and pricing control.
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NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
