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As deadline nears, still no CAS deals in sight
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: Just over 15 days to go but the CAS picture seems to be still stuck in pause mode.
The second meeting today of the recently constituted 16-member conditional access system (CAS) implementation committee in the capital remained where it had left off at the last meeting in Mumbai on 5 August. There was nothing new to report.
To quote the I&B ministry additional secretary Vijay Singh from the 5 August meeting: “In today’s meeting, we discussed several issues such as pricing of the pay channels and availability of set top boxes (STBs). The MSOs have informed us that they are in a state of readiness with the headends and the STBs in place. The broadcasters and MSOs have assured us that they will be ready with the pricing and commission structure before the next meeting on 14 August.” Replace the “next meeting on 14 August” with the CAS rollout deadline of 1 September and it about sums up what Singh would have had to say after today’s meeting.
How about Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea? Quoting Mukerjea from the last meeting: “Some progress has certainly been made. Once we resolve issues with penetration, number of households and (revenue share) margins, we should be there.” Mukerjea admitted today that deals on revenue share were still to be signed.
There had been some speculation (wishful thinking according to indiantelevision.com) that the pay channels (Star in particular) would come out with some new “consumer friendly” prices. Nothing of the sort has happened.
Zee Group cable arm Siti Cable meanwhile, is still promising to give all channels in Rs 128 plus Rs 72 (with taxes extra). But Siti officials would also admit that there are no agreements in place as of now with either CAS
And still I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserts that the 1 September CAS rollout is on schedule. The way it looks now, if the deadline is implemented, there could well be a blackout of pay channels in the designated Phase 1 rollout areas in the four metros Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
Or maybe at the last minute there might be much burning of the midnight oil among the CAS players to try and cobble together some deal.
Or could another CAS deadline postponement be on the cards?
Also Read:
CAS deadline will be met, say major players; LMOs refuse to play ball
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.
