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Govt to re-look news channel uplinking policy; seeks clarifications on Star News structure
MUMBAI: First came the articles questioning the Star News equity structure in India Today and later in The Times Of India. It was followed up by a petition made by virtually all Indian broadcast companies (excepting the Zee Group whose promoter Subhash Chandra is technically a non-resident Indian) demanding a “level playing field”.
And finally on Saturday, the government announced it was planning to revise the guidelines for uplinking by foreign news channels from India, to ensure that the foreign 26 per cent equity cap is not circumvented. The information & broadcasting (I&B) ministry has also shot off a letter seeking clarifications on the company’s equity and corporate structure.
In a related development, the Economic Times has reported to pre-empt such queries, Star a week ago revived a shell company it had formed in February – Touch Telecontent (India) – to hive off its infrastructure assets like studio, cameras, video and editing equipment. This company will provide all infrastructure support to Star’s uplinking company, Media Content & Communications Services (MCCS) Pvt Ltd. The new entity will be headed by Vynsley Fernandez who until now was a senior vice-president in MCCS.
That the issue had snowballed into one with serious political ramifications can be gauged from the fact that the announcement was made after a meeting that included virtually the “who’s, who” in the government. Present at the meeting were Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, deputy prime minister LK Advani, finance minister Jaswant Singh, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha, law minister Arun Jaitley, information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and PM’s principal advisor Brajesh Mishra.
Prasad was quoted in media reports as saying, “We will hold consultations between various ministries with a view to revising guidelines to ensure strict compliance of foreign equity clause both in letter and spirit by foreign channels in news segment.”
Prasad also added that the government would work out a structure that offers a level-playing field to all channels (both Indian and foreign) in tax structure.
Rather late in the day it would seem, but te I&B ministry has now questioned how MCCS, with a paid-up capital of Rs 100,000, is meeting its expenses of hiring satellite and transponders for over Rs 25 million, besides incurring staff and other newsgathering expenditure.
Questions have been raised now about why Star, with just 26 per cent equity holding, remains the controlling shareholder. An explanation has also been sought on the constitution of its board of directors. “Two directors K Dalal and Ajay Kishor Sharma are employees of Star TV,” the letter to Star says, according to the Hindu Businessline. Kumarmangalam Birla’s Applause Entertainment (which has reportedly pulled out from the venture) has only one director, the minority shareholders having 25 per cent have one representation while Hemendra Kothari of DSP Merrill Lynch has no representation.
Among the specific questions Star has reportedly been asked to provide are:
*Total projected turnover for the next five years and source of funding for this turnover.
*Funds flow statement of last year and next five years.
*Loans proposed to be taken to fund the operations for any other purpose and also details on whether it will be from Indian or foreign equity.
*Operational costs regarding staff employed and equipment costs.
*Share holding of Star News Broadcast Limited (SNBL).
*Who is the present owner of Star News, and who will own it once proposed investments are made and the company’s structure firmed up.
Also Read:
Rumoured Birla pullout could spell bad news for Star
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.
