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Issuing an ordinance – the process
If the government decides to go ahead with the promulgation of an Ordinance (executive order) by the President of India making implementation of conditional access system (CAS) in Indian cable and satellite homes a policy decision, then a Cabinet nod has to be taken again.
Quizzed on the issue of an Ordinance, a senior official of the information & broadcasting ministry admitted to indiantelevision.com:
“If the government decides to go ahead with the Ordinance without waiting for ratification from the Upper House of Parliament during the monsoon session of Parliament, beginning sometime in the third week of July, then it has to prove that the issue of CAS is of national importance.”
However, the official also added that at present no decision has been taken on the issue as the I&B ministry “will wait for minister Sushma Swaraj to return from her trip to Cannes where she had gone heading a strong team from the world of Indian entertainment.”
Still, here’s a step-by-step guide of how an Ordinance on CAS can be promulgated if Swaraj is able to bulldoze her way through opposition.
Step 1: The I&B ministry prepares a three-four page cabinet note on CAS highlighting the salient features of the amendments to be brought about in the CATV Networks Regulation Act, 1995. The note will be circulated to the Cabinet secretariat and the ministry of law and justice.
“Opinion of ministry of law is crucial in this matter as it will indicate whether such a move is implementable,” a government official said.
Step 2: After receiving the opinion from the law ministry, the I&B ministry will attempt to get the issue listed on the agenda of a full Cabinet meeting as soon as possible. The Cabinet note will also highlight the reason as to why the government should hurry through with this piece of legislation even before both the Houses of Parliament have discussed the issue.
“We’ll have to justify to the Cabinet why CAS is of national importance and of immense benefit to consumers at large,” the official said, adding that the Minister’s persuasive powers will play a crucial role here.
Step 3: After the Cabinet is convinced that that an Ordinance relating to CAS needs to be promulgated, the issue will be referred to the President as it’s under his name the piece of legislation will be issued.
Step 4: The President studies the matter and gives his opinion. He has two options: give his assent right away to the suggestion on the ordinance by the Cabinet or send it back for clarifications.
A senior government official explained: “The President generally does not refuse or turn down the Cabinet’s suggestions. He can send the file back for more comments and clarifications after which he will have to promulgate the Ordinance.”
Step 5: After the promulgation of the Ordinance, the particular legislation comes into effect from the date mentioned therein and is notified in the Gazette.
Step 6: The government, however, will have to have the Ordinance ratified in Parliament within six months of it being promulgated or it lapses. But if the government fails to get the nod of both Houses of Parliament due to pressure of more important work, it can have the Ordinance extended by another six months after which Parliament ratification is a must.
Explained the government official, “Since the Cable TV Networks Regulation Amendment Bill, 2002 has already been passed by Lok Sabha (Lower House), convincing the Cabinet and President on the importance of the amendments and CAS should not be difficult.”
So, those who had been breathing a bit easily thinking CAS is still some months away don’t pop the champagne yet. Swaraj is back in office on Monday (May 27) and may just decide to complete the unfinished CAS task.
News Broadcasting
WITT Summit 2026 concludes in New Delhi
Babar Azam’s comical diving attempt goes viral as league introduces anti-dew measures.
MUMBAI: The WITT Summit just wrapped up with enough big ideas to fill a policy playbook because when India’s leaders, thinkers and icons gather under one roof, even the conversations hit sixes. The eighth edition of TV9 Network’s flagship What India Thinks Today (WITT) Summit 2026 concluded on Saturday after two days of dynamic discussions at its New Delhi venue. India’s largest multi-domain public policy and culture summit brought together political leaders, policymakers, sports icons, artists and technology innovators to examine the forces shaping contemporary India and its global standing.
Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address on the theme “India and the World” for the third consecutive year. In a wide-ranging speech, he addressed the ongoing conflict in West Asia, calling for restraint and compassion while highlighting India’s continued development trajectory despite global turmoil.
The summit featured candid conversations with state leaders. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy articulated a people-first governance model and contrasted it with other development approaches. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared that Left-wing extremism had been effectively eliminated in his state and highlighted preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended his government’s record, citing the closure of 19 toll plazas and creation of the Sadak Suraksha Force. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed confidence in Congress prospects in Assam and addressed recent allegations against him.
On geopolitics and national security, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia outlined India’s ambition to become a builder of trusted digital infrastructure for the world, citing the rapid 5G rollout and village-level 4G connectivity.
Cricket received significant attention. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised player freedom and trust as hallmarks of great leadership and named MS Dhoni as the greatest captain due to his World Cup successes. India women’s team bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi credited the BCCI and Women’s Premier League for building a pipeline of world-class talent behind the team’s recent ODI World Cup triumph.
The summit also hosted the inaugural AI² Awards 2026, celebrating the convergence of human creativity and machine intelligence in storytelling and content creation. Poet and kathavachak Kumar Vishwas delivered a nuanced take on India’s concept of Dharma and criticised the recent arrest of an 80-year-old Shankaracharya. Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan and storyteller Neelesh Misra reflected on changing music trends and artistic responsibility in the wake of a recent controversy involving Nora Fatehi.
In a country where conversations often run as deep as the Ganges, the WITT Summit proved once again that when leaders, thinkers and storytellers come together, the real winner is public discourse lively, layered and refreshingly unafraid to tackle the big questions shaping India’s tomorrow.
