News Headline
AIDCF files petition in Kerala HC against Trai
Mumbai: All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has filed a writ petition against The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in Kerala High Court. According to the petition AIDCF claims that Trai has made U turn on the necessity of Rs 12 price cap.
The petition said, “By way of the Impugned Regulations Trai in violation of the Trai Act,1997 has amongst others, increased the rate of television channels for inclusion in the bouquet from Rs 12 to Rs 19 per channel even though the cap of Rs 12 had been fixed only vide amendments undertaken on 1 January 2020 but were not fully given effect to until the price-cap was upheld by the High Court of Bombay vide judgement dated 30 June 2021. In an arbitrary manner, Trai without any justification has taken a complete u-turn on the necessity of Rs 12 price cap for inclusion of channels in the bouquet.”
The petition further quotes Trai’s stand as noted in the judgement dated 30 June 2021 where trai said, “Rs 19- should be considered as a price of niche/premium channels and should not be allowed to be part of any bouquet and it is the consumers’ choice that should be taken for subscription of such channels. The Authority has stated that the bouquet should be formed by bundling channels which are affordable and are in similar price brackets, and if high value channels are allowed to be part of the bouquets, the basic objective of the framework that the niche channel should only be given to the consumer on his free will, will be defeated. The Authority noted that as all top 4-S broadcasters haue priced their niche channel at Rs 19/-, the consumers are compelled to subscribe to either the bouquet or the niche channels, resulting in more payout from consumers in either case.”
AIDCF further claimed in petition that, “ Without following the due process of consultation under Section 11(4) of the Trai Act, 1997, Trai has made changes to Regulation 7 (4) and Regulation 10 (12) of the Interconnect Regulations which will force consumers to subscribe to bouquets and increase effective cost to consumers.”
AIDCF argued that Trai has itself noted a constant decline in the cable television sector which if not stemmed, will lead to the destruction of an industry that provides employment to millions of people and a source of information, culture and awareness for the mass of the people.
“By allowing an unchecked increase in prices to the consumers the Respondent No.r are unwittingly ensuring that there is further reduction and exodus from the cable television sector. The Impugned Regulations if not stayed will have a direct impact on consumers and will result in an immediate increase in average and ordinary consumer payout form 20 to 30 per cent,” said the petition.
On Wednesday, Trai informed the Kerala HC that it had not postponed the implementation of its 2020 regulations and tariff order regarding TV channel pricing because all parties, including the members of AIDCF, believed that it needed to be given another look.
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.
