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CAS on in Chennai as of now; not in Mumbai, Kolkata
MUMBAI: The implementation process of the first phase of the conditional access system has commenced as of today (1 September 2003) in a city where the free-to-air (FTA) channels dominate – Chennai. But, uncertainty still prevails in Mumbai and Kolkata and no blackouts of pay channels have been effected here.
Multi System Operators (MSOs) Hathway Cable and Datacom (Rajan Raheja venture in which Star India has a 26 per cent stake) and Sumangali Cablevision (a division of K Maran’s Sun Network) have switched off the pay channels as of midnight of Sunday, 31 August 2003. Hathway officials have confirmed that CAS is being implemented in Chennai. Sources claim that pay channels including the Hindi mass entertainment channels, Raj TV and Vijay TV have gone off air.
This move comes into force despite the fact that the Madras High Court is slated to hear a petition on CAS filed by K. Surendrakumar.
Media reports state that Surendrakumar sought to forbear the MSO respondents and officials from in any way implementing the scheme without following the provisions of Rule 9 to 13 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Rules 1995.
Surendrakumar has mentioned in his petition that none of the provisions of Rules 9 to 13, relating to details on free-to-air channels and a declaration by local cable operators, had been complied with in Chennai and under such circumstances if the CAS regime became operational it would be a `futile exercise’ and against the spirit of the Act, resulting in `confusion, chaos and fleecing of subscribers by operators’.
Surendrakumar pointed out that the CAS could not be implemented without the set top boxes and added that till date no information on their rate, rental charges, warranty, security deposit and its refund had been disseminated to subscribers who are still in the dark about the new regime. Also, as these boxes are not available in the open market consumers cannot hope to procure them independently.
Meanwhile, the implementation of CAS hasn’t started in the other two cities – Mumbai and Kolkata. In Mumbai, MSOs Hathway Cable & Datacom and INCableNet haven’t enforced any blackout of pay channels in south Mumbai (Zone 1).
The reasons being quoted are: the ongoing festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, the existing uncertainty due to lack of clear-cut instructions from the central government or I&B ministry; and staunch opposition from the Shiv Sena. The MSO executives and the cable operators are awaiting the outcome of the government appointed CAS implementation task force meeting in New Delhi scheduled for 3 pm today.
The indiantelevision.com team spoke to several consumers in south Mumbai and they confirmed that there were no blackouts (of pay channels) as of now.
The West Bengal government on Sunday said that CAS would not be implemented in Kolkata and has sought further clarifications from the I&B ministry. In an unprecedented move, the chief minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, has been quoted as urging the centre to take the respective state governments into confidence before implementing it.
Perhaps, the communist CPI-M government is taking a leaf from the book of the Congress chief minister Sheila Dixit and BJP Delhi state leader Madan Lal Khurana who has opposed CAS implementation in Delhi and the Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in Mumbai. These politicians have succeeded in stalling CAS – at least temporarily – rollout in their respective cities.
Media reports have quoted Kolkata city police chief, Sujoy Chakraborty, who has asked the dominant MSOs – RPG Netcom, Citicable and Manthan – to avoid enforcing CAS.
Bhattacharjee also suggested that the centre should form a committee and ascertain the views of the governments, the operators and consumers. Although it is not clear whether the I&B ministry will consider these suggestions.
Till then, all eyes on the government appointed CAS implementation task force meeting at 3 pm in Delhi and the Madras High Court.
Also read:
Nothing official about CAS deferment
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.
