I&B Ministry
Govt earns Rs 7.41 crore as processing fee from MSOs since 2011
NEW DELHI: The Government has earned Rs 7.41 crore as processing fee from multi system operators from April 2011, the Lok Sabha was informed on 20 March.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said a process fee of Rs 1 lakh was collected from MSOs at the time of submission of application for registration for providing digital addressable system.
A sum of Rs 4.79 crore was earned till 27 January this year during 2014-15 as processing fee from MSOS.
In comparison, the processing fee received in previous years was Rs 79 lakh in 2013-14, Rs 1.8 crore in 2012-13, and Rs 3 lakh in 2011-12.
In addition, some states have levied entertainment tax collected directly by them, and MSOs also have to pay service tax and any other applicable taxes to the central government, the Minister said.
I&B Ministry
MIB blocks MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro and three other OTT platforms over obscene, sexually explicit content
Platforms streamed material violating IT Act provisions
NATIONAL: India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry blocked five over-the-top streaming platforms for allegedly hosting obscene and sexually explicit content, marking a fresh escalation in regulatory action against digital services operating outside the country’s content rules, as per media reports.
The platforms, MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu, were found to be streaming material that prima facie violates provisions of the Information Technology Act and rules governing online publishers.
Blocking orders were issued under statutory powers that allow the government to restrict access to online content in the interest of public order and decency. Internet service providers have been directed to disable access to the websites and mobile applications linked to the platforms.
The move forms part of a wider surveillance drive by the ministry targeting lesser-known and unregulated streaming services that allegedly evade self-regulatory obligations applicable to OTT platforms. Officials said the action followed repeated advisories urging compliance with Indian laws, including age-based classification, grievance redressal mechanisms and restrictions on explicit material.
Government sources described the content hosted by the blocked platforms as “highly explicit”, adding that it crossed legal thresholds permitted under Indian law. While large OTT players operate within a three-tier grievance redressal framework introduced in 2021, smaller apps have increasingly drawn scrutiny for distributing adult content without oversight.
The latest action also reflects heightened enforcement against platforms operating through mirror websites, offshore hosting arrangements or opaque ownership structures. Authorities have in recent years stepped up monitoring of online curated content amid concerns around obscenity, misleading promotions and unlawful distribution.
Officials declined to say whether further steps, including probes into operators, payment gateways or production entities, were being considered. However, sources indicated that additional platforms could face similar action if found in breach of the law.
