MAM
TDSAT hearing on ad cap to continue tomorrow
NEW DELHI: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) contended before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) did not have powers to regulate advertisements since there was no provision in law giving it the power to deal with content.
Commencing his arguments in the long-delayed petitions challenging the 12 minute ad cap sought to be imported by TRAI, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member Kuldip Singh that the powers of TRAI with regard to broadcasting other than standards of quality were only recommendatory and it could not make regulations or pass implementable orders.
Furthermore, neither the TRAI Act nor the Indian Telegraph Act 1985 under which it functioned gave powers to TRAI to deal with content.
He said that Section 2(G) of the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act 1995 was clear that advertisements fell under content.
The hearing, which commenced today, will continue on a day-to-day basis. The main petitioners are the NBA and TV9. TDSAT had in the previous hearing (31 October) disallowed interventions by some broadcasters that included Viacom 18, Star India and Zee TV.
At the outset, Singhvi also contended that the Supreme Court had itself held that advertisements were the cornerstone of free speech and economy since they gave the financial clout to enable free speech. The apex court had also said that anything curbing the ‘financial spine’ is an inroad into the freedom granted by Article 19(1)(a) of freedom of speech and expression. He said there could not be talk of free speech and expression without talking of the financial spine behind this.
He said that while broadcasting was brought under the ambit of TRAI in January 2000, it was only on 9 January 2004 that an empowering notification was brought in with regard to broadcasting, but it only gave the Authority powers to make recommendations and not pass regulations.
TRAI on 22 March 2013 passed a notification with regard to advertisements, he added.
The implementation with regard to content lay with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry which could do so under the 1995 Act. TRAI only had powers with regard to licensing and quality of service.
At this stage, Justice Alam wondered if granting of license also included abiding by the rules under which the license was issued and this covered both the Broadcast and Advertising Codes.
Singhvi said that in any case, the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines only referred to giving permission and not licenses. License had not been defined under the Guidelines.
Senior TRAI counsel Rakesh Dwivedi interjected to say that the Uplinking and and Downlinking Guidelines were clear that the Broadcast and Advertising Codes had to be adhered to, adding that this had not been challenged by anyone.
However, Singhvi said that the Codes were only mentioned under the Cable TV Networks Rules 1994. He said the Rules were brought in when the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Ordinance was brought in 1994, which was subsequently replaced by the Act of 1995.
Singhvi said that it could also not be said that advertisements were per se bad or pervasive as they could be very creative, adding that the only all pervasive instrument was the remote control.
At this stage, Justice Alam expressed the view that advertisements could be very annoying when one was watching a serious programme.
Singhvi said both the programmes and the advertisements were the lifeblood of the TV channels. He also added that there was no need to interfere as long as the advertisements did not make any incursions into Article 19(2) of the Constitution (which refers to reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights).
In any case, TRAI could not arrogate to itself the power to regulate advertisements and content which fell in the domain of the union of India.
He admitted that section 11(2) of the Telegraph Act said TRAI could perform such duties as were assigned to it by the government, but said regulating content had never formed part of this.
In any case, he said a major part of the powers of TRAI were derived from the TRAI Act or the Indian Telegraph Act which related to telecom and not broadcasting. These powers generally related to quality of service.
The legislature never thought it fit to pass a law giving powers relating to content to TRAI, he added.
At another stage, the judge also wondered if the 1995 Act which applied to cable TV could be extended to broadcasters.
Singhvi said that no broadcaster could transmit his signals without resorting to either the 1995 Act or the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines.
If you are actively investing to grow your money month after month, you already understand the value of planning ahead. SIPs, long-term portfolios, retirement planning and goal-based investing all point to one thing. You are building a future with intent.
What often gets missed in this process is one foundational question. How well is the income that funds all these plans protected?
Term life insurance fits naturally into this stage of financial planning. It does not compete with investments. It supports them by protecting the income that makes long-term growth possible.
Why Income Protection Is a Core Part of Financial Planning
Every financial plan begins with income. Before money is invested or saved, it is earned.
Over time, this income is allocated across multiple needs:
● monthly household expenses
● EMIs and long-term loans
● savings and emergency funds
● investments aimed at future goals
As responsibilities increase, financial planning becomes layered. Each layer assumes income continuity. Term life insurance exists to ensure that this structure does not become fragile due to overdependence on a single income source.
It adds stability to plans already in motion rather than introducing a new objective.
What does term life insurance do?
Term life insurance provides a fixed payout to your nominee if you pass away during the policy term. The purpose of this payout is practical and clearly defined.
It is intended to:
● replace lost income for a defined period
● help manage outstanding liabilities
● support ongoing household and goal-based expenses
There is no investment or savings component. This keeps the product focused and cost-efficient, allowing individuals to opt for meaningful coverage without diverting funds meant for growth-oriented investments.
Why Term Life Insurance Complements Investing?
Investments and insurance play different roles in a financial plan.
Investments are designed to:
● grow wealth over time
● compound with consistency
● be adjusted as goals and risk appetite change
Term life insurance is designed to:
● provide financial continuity
● protect existing plans from disruption
● remain stable once put in place
Keeping these roles separate improves clarity. Investments are allowed to perform without being forced to double up as protection, while insurance quietly supports the overall structure.
Who Should Consider Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance becomes relevant when financial planning extends beyond individual needs. This typically includes:
a) Working professionals
When income supports shared expenses or long-term plans, protection becomes essential.
b) Individuals with long-term liabilities
Home loans, education loans and other EMIs often extend over decades. Term insurance ensures these obligations remain manageable.
c) Parents planning future milestones
Education, healthcare and lifestyle goals require continuity over many years.
d) Early planners with rising incomes
Starting earlier allows coverage to align smoothly with career progression and evolving responsibilities.
How Much Coverage Should Be Considered?
Coverage should be guided by financial reality rather than affordability alone.
A well-rounded evaluation typically considers:
● number of years income needs to be replaced
● existing and future liabilities
● long-term goals already planned
● inflation and rising living costs
Many insurance companies offer options starting from 50 lakhs, 1 crore term insurance and higher. It allows individuals to choose coverage based on their income, liabilities and future plans.
How Term Life Insurance Fits Into a Long-Term Plan
Once set up, term life insurance does not demand frequent attention.
It does not require active monitoring, market tracking or performance reviews. Its role is structural rather than dynamic.
By ensuring financial continuity, it allows families to:
● stay aligned with long-term plans
● avoid rushed financial decisions
● focus on execution rather than damage control
When aligned correctly, term insurance strengthens the foundation on which investments, savings and retirement plans are built.
Choose the Right Insurance Partner
Once the need, coverage amount and role of term life insurance are clear, the final and most important step is choosing the right partner.
This decision should be based on:
● clarity and transparency in policy terms
● a strong claim settlement track record
● consistency in servicing and communication
● the ability to support long-term financial planning rather than just selling a product
Term life insurance is a long-term commitment. The partner you choose today will be the one your family relies on years down the line.
When protection is aligned with purpose and backed by a dependable insurer, term life insurance becomes a quiet but powerful part of a well-built financial plan.
