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Defence ministry moots 26% FDI cap for news channels
NEW DELHI: The ministry of defence, under minister George Fernandes, is understood to have suggested that foreign shareholding in a news channel should be capped at 26 per cent in a response to a Cabinet note on the news channels’ uplinking circulated by the information and broadcasting ministry.
It is interesting to note that the defence ministry’s observations on the uplinking issue comes close on the heels of Fernandes’ staunch opposition to the government stand on disinvestment. Fernandes is on record as saying disinvestment “should be done carefully”.
According to government sources that indiantelevision.com spoke to today, the feedback from various government departments and ministries on the uplinking issue is that 100 per cent FDI in news channel should not be allowed. The Star News issue has also not been listed yet for a Cabinet meet that is generally held on Tuesdays.
While the telecommunication ministry has observed that a 49 per cent FDI in news channels is okay (consistent with the FDI cap in telecom infrastructure segment), the ministries of home and external affairs have recommended “reasonable restrictions.”
It is also learnt that the I&B ministry, under Sushma Swaraj whose brainchild it was to take the issue to the Cabinet after Star filed for uplinking permission for Star News last year, had prepared an internal note representing the ministry’s viewpoint which had envisaged capping the FDI news channels at par with the norms set by the government in the print medium for the news category.
The big question is: what would be the stand of the new I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad? He hasn’t yet spoken his mind on the issue, but he did give a hint to indiantelevision in an interview that the Star News/uplinking issue is “commanding” his attention and that all options are being looked into. That includes giving provisional permission to Star for the news channel subject to the condition that the company would abide by all future policy decisions on the matter. Prasad said this in response to a question whether giving provisional permission to Star is an option being considered by his ministry.
However, he had also reiterated his predecessor’s stand that the guidance of the Cabinet would be sought on the matter.
Meanwhile, if the government caps FDI in news channels at 26 per cent, then other broadcasters too, would be put to inconvenience and would have to undertake corporate restructuring. A case in point is Zee Telefilms where if Zee News’ shareholding control has to be 74 per cent Indian, then NRI promoter Subhash Chandra would have to do some restructuring.
If the 26 per cent cap is effected, then TV Today Network, that has said it may offload some more equity to outsiders, will not have much to offload as it has already offloaded about 16 per cent to various parties, including Bharti, an Indian company where foreign companies like Singapore Telecom hold stakes.
CNBC India, a joint venture between Television Eighteen Ltd and CNBC Asia, may also have to opt for some restructuring.
“In effect, if the government caps FDI in news channels at 26 per cent, then various companies would have to go in for corporate restructuring which may be time consuming,” a media analyst said.
The Virgin Island-based Star News Broadcasting had sought the government’s nod in October last year to uplink Star News channel that had been interpreted in the government circles as 100 per cent foreign ownership of a news channel from the country.
Star is getting ready to put in place a news team and other infrastructure. Industry sources also say that some Indian corporates have evinced interest in forming a joint venture with Star in case government restrictions come in.
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.
