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Govt. warns it will brook no dilly-dallying on CAS rollout
NEW DELHI: The government cracked the whip on the stakeholders of the broadcasting and cable industry and those involved with implementation of conditional access systems, even as a broad consensus seems to have been arrived at on the number of channels, 30, that would make up the basic tier of free to air channels.
In a surprise appearance at the meeting of the task force on CAS held here today, I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya addressed the gathering. For the first time, a Sahara TV representative too, was present in his capacity as the representative of a free to air channel.
In a short, but categorical, address, Prasad said the problems of the stakeolders would be properly addressed, but cautioned that no effort to frustrate the implementation of CAS would be tolerated.
Prasad said that the government has made a conscious decision to introduce CAS keeping in view the sole interest of the consumer, an issue which was reiterated by Somaiya too. But a cable operator pointed out that there was a hint of “threat” in the firmness with which Somaiya spoke.
Somaiyya, citing the instance of the Mumbai blackout by cable operators and today’s Mumbai high court ruling, a development that has been reported by indiantelevision, made it clear that, if need be, such an agitation would be taken to other cities too and the issue would be raised in Parliament also.
The next meeting is likely to be held around 21 March.
According to Prasad, the commitment of the Government to provide an affordable system to the consumer is “categorical, clear and unambiguous.”
Later after the guest artistes in the meeting had made their presence felt and left, others discussed the composition of the basic tier.
According to some of those who were there, it was mentioned that the basic tier should comprise channels from all genres if available. The genres would be entertainment, news and current affairs, sports, infotainment, apart from the Doordarshan channels.
There are free to air channels in most genres, but almost all available sports channels are pay, including DD Sports, which is yet to sort out a legal case initiated by Modi Entertainment Network against an assertion made last year by a Prasar Bharati official that DD Sports may turn free to air.
Though most of those who attended the meeting agreed that 30 would be an adequate number for the basic tier, some cable operators suggested that an extra nominal amount per channel should be fixed if a cable operator wanted to show more than 30 channels as part of the basic tier.
This suggestion, however, seems to have been shot down as it found very little favour in the meeting, according to some of those who attended the over two-hour meeting at Shastri Bhawan.
As an aside, a consumer activist from Mumbai also brought up an issue of portrayal of consumer activism and consumer activists by some MSOs in Mumbai vis-a-vis CAS.
A finance ministry representative also listed out the elements taken into account while trying to fix a price of the basic tier by the government. The gathering was told that while calculating the probable price of the basic tier, the govrnment has taken into account cable networks that cover regions in the radius of 3 km, 4 km and 7 km.
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.
