News Broadcasting
Stage set for CAS Bill introduction?
NEW DELHI: When Parliament reconvenes for its Winter Session from 18 November, the decks appear to be clear for the introduction of Bill incorporating amendments to the Cable TV (Network) Regulation Act, 1995, which will facilitate implementation of conditional access systems (CAS).
The CAS Bill is however, unlikely to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the first week of the session. Reason: the first day, 18 November, is likely to see no business being transacted as obit references will be made before adjournment. The second day, 19 November, is a holiday on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti. That will leave just three days before the week comes to an end.
“In all probability, CAS is likely to be discussed in the Rajya Sabha around 25 November,” a senior government official told indiantelevision.com in Delhi, adding that this is likely to be the schedule unless information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj literally steamrolls through CAS in the Rajya Sabha in the first week of the Parliament’s session. What lends credence to this possibility is that there is some speculation in the industry that the Bill could be introduced for discussion as early as 20 November.
According to political sources, however, Swaraj is still to bring about a consensus amongst MPs in the Opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha and in recent times no talks have been held with Rajya Sabha members of either the Congress or the Left parties.
‘400 Resident welfare associations’ in Delhi invited for CAS seminar’
Some vocal supporters of CAS have, meanwhile, found a novel way of putting the issue back in the limelight just before Parliament reconvenes – seek resident welfare associations’ (RWAs) help in putting indirect pressure on policy-makers to hasten the passage of CAS in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). It has already cleared the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament).
In this connection, a day-long seminar has been scheduled for Thursday in Delhi where representatives from Delhi RWAs, the government, select cable operators, consumer action groups and media will discuss the issue of pricing of pay channels, the benefits of CAS and why it should be implemented ASAP.
According to the chief architect of the Delhi-based National Cable & Telecom Association (NCTA) Vicky Choudhary, which is organising the meet, “Most channels revise upwardly their subscription fee around January which is likely to spark off another round of face-offs between subscribers and cable operators. That’s why we thought this day-long interaction would be useful.”
Though Choudhary was evasive when asked whether this was being done, just days before Parliament reconvenes, to put indirect pressure on policy-makers, he did admit reluctantly: “Some residual effect will certainly be there (on members of Parliament of the Upper House or Rajya Sabha).”
According to Choudhary, invitations for participation for Thursday’s meeting has gone out to over 400 RWAs, top government officials involved with policy-making on CAS and the media.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
