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Polls in mind, Dikshit opposes CAS
MUMBAI: The political tango around the introduction of conditional access in India just refuses to simer down. The Delhi Government on Saturday opposed the implementation of Conditional Access System (CAS) from 14 July, saying confusion prevailed over the new system and claiming that the consumer was not given any alternative.
“There is still confusion in the minds of the people about the new system. No one knows where the set-top box is available and what is the cost of the box and the services to be provided,” Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying after addressing a party rally in the capital.
Claiming there was something “fishy” in the entire deal, Dikshit said implementing CAS without giving any alternative to the consumer would only put an additional burden on the general public.
As in Mumbai, where the ruling coalition at the Centre’s constituent and ideological ally of the BJP, the Shiv Sena, opposes CAS, it is politics that is at play here as well. With Assembly elections round the corner, the Congress-ruled Delhi government is eyeing the controversy as a perfect issue to attack its major rival in the capital, the BJP.
They have said DTH would be operational within three to four months. Once that happens, CAS will almost become redundant, said the chief minister. She added that in other countries, the set-top box is in-built into the TV. Despite the sops offered by the Centre, she wondered where was the need for introducing a separate set-top box in India.
There seemed to be a political link working even in Saturday’s announcement by Zee Group cable arm SitiCable boss (also Zee tele’s additional vice chairman) Jawahar Goel that the MSO was giving “introductory” offer for all pay channels it provided to its CAS-enabled subscribers. At Rs 128 (excluding local taxes that are levied on last mile operators) + Rs 72 (excluding local taxes) for about 60 free to air channels that was cheaper than what other cable ops were offering – Rs 222 plus taxes.
Goel had said, “The introductory offer is likely to be valid till the (state) elections.” Delhi and some other Indian states are going to polls later this year in October-November.
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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.
