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Govt cannot deny permission for de-endorsing any channel: TDSAT
NEW DELHI: The information and broadcasting ministry (I&B) was directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to de-endorse the SK TV channel of Sindhi Kachchhi Entertainment Corporation from the list of channels permitted to be up-linked by the Noida Software Technology Park through its teleport using INSAT 4A satellite with immediate effect.
Noting that the government has itself admitted that it has no role to play with regard to agreements between teleports and television channels, chairman justice Aftab Alam and member Kuldep Singh said “we are unable to appreciate the submissions made by the ministry that it is waiting to receive ‘no objection’ from Sindhi Kachchhi Entertainment Corporation as well as the claim regarding excess payment made by the channel to NSTPL.”
The judgment written by Singh also said the Ministry “can also not delay the permission to NSTPL just because the guidelines do not contain specific provision in this regard and the policy is under process of being framed.”
The tribunal noted that Sindhi Kachchhi Entertainment Corporation has not appeared before the tribunal in spite of notice and from its letters, “it is evident that it has accepted the position of suspension of uplinking of its channel by the petitioner and it is in search of an alternative for the same.”
The Tribunal also said the cost of litigation amounting to Rs 25,000 would be paid to NSTPL.
NSTPL manages JAINHITS, the only head-end in the sky platform at present licensed by the government. It is engaged in the business of providing up-linking facility and transponder service to the broadcasters and has been granted a license on 24 January 2003 under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 to establish, maintain and operate the up-inking hub (teleport). It has also obtained license from WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination), Department of Telecommunications. It is operating the teleport as permitted in the letter of the Ministry dated 27 January 2003.
The tribunal noted that the teleport is a satellite ground station that functions as a hub connecting a satellite in a geo-stationary orbit with terrestrial communication network. Teleports are used to provide various broadcasting as well as telecommunication services. In the case of the petitioner, the license granted to it is for up-linking the approved television channels using C-Band. The hub is to be used for up linking TV channels only and not for any other mode of communication.
While NSTPL and Sindhi Kachchhi Entertainment Corporation had entered into an agreement in September 2010 and NSTPL received the requisite permission from the ministry with regard to SK TV. NSTPL had contended that the channel defaulted in its payments amounting to Rs 31,66,395. The NSTPL then terminated the agreement and approached the Ministry in July last year seeking de-endorsement of the said channel from the list of channels permitted to be uplinked by JAINHITS.
NSTPL filed the petition in January this year after it failed to get a suitable reply from the ministry which told the tribunal that this was a matter between the two parties, and that the channel had written to the ministry in September 2013 that it had made excess payment. It also said when the ministry receives requests for de-endorsement, then it awaits a no-objection from the channel.
The channel had also written to the ministry that since NSTPL was not having transparent business dealing, it has under force majeure clause accepted suspension of its service and was in search of other teleport or DTH operator for transmission of its channel.
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.
