News Headline
SC upholds TRAI Act over Copyright Act in tariff order case
MUMBAI: The two-judge bench of the apex court with Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Navin Sinha dismissed the Star India’s appeal against Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recent tariff order. The principal area of the argument by the broadcaster was that the pricing of the content cannot be regulated by TRAI as it comes under the Copyright act. The verdict has clearly pronounced that the as TRAI Act is in public interest, it should prevail over the Copyright Act.
“The best way in which both statutes can be harmonised is to state that the TRAI Act, being a statute conceived in public interest, which is to serve the interest of both broadcasters and consumers, must prevail, to the extent of any inconsistency, over the Copyright Act which is an act which protects the property rights of broadcasters. We are, therefore, of the view that, to the extent royalties/compensation payable to the broadcasters under the Copyright Act are regulated in public interest by TRAI under the TRAI Act, the former shall give way to the latter,” the Supreme Court order said.
The 123-page judgment read that a copyright is meant to protect an owner’s work (original or re-broadcasted) and isn’t concerned with the interest of the end user or consumer and hence does not fall under the purview of the Copyright Act. It is the TRAI Act that needs to focus on the consumers’ interest.
The Supreme Court added that the Copyright Act will operate within its own sphere giving broadcasters full flexibility to change royalty or compensation. On the other hand, TRAI does not, in substance, impinge upon these acts. It even observed that broadcasters have freedom to provide their own choice of content and arrange their own pricing as long as they aren’t discriminatory or force subscribers to choose either bouquets or a-la-carte.
In the Supreme Court order, it was also noted that one of the functions of the authority, is to “facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of telecommunication services (which includes broadcasting services) so as to facilitate growth in such services.”
The tariff order has been the subject matter of extensive discussions between TRAI, all stakeholders and consumers. The order read further that the focus of TRAI has always been to provide a level playing field to both broadcaster and subscriber.
Though the impending ruling led to lack of clarity, all the major broadcasters published their Reference Interconnect Offers along with the line of the order. As Star India was the petitioner, it did not publish its RIO.
“The SC order has empowered consumers across the nation. While the overall media and entertainment landscape has been evolving rapidly, it is for the first time in 26 years that such a strong and positive step has been taken to eradicate the lack of transparency in the cable and broadcast value chain,” ZEE and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra commented.
“This is the watershed moment we have all been waiting for. We feel that the new framework will bring in much needed transparency, parity, promote exercising of choice for the consumer and ensure orderly growth of the sector. The onus is now on all service providers to put their best foot forward and keep consumer interest in mind by complying with the required initial timelines and activities at the earliest,” AIDCF president Rajan Gupta said.
While along the same line TRAI chairman RS Sharma said it is a big win for consumers as per a PTI report, the verdict undoubtedly has far-reaching impact in broadcast industry.
Earlier in the Madras High Court, division bench consisting of Justice M Sundar J and Chief Justice Indira Banerjee gave a spilt verdict. While M Sundar’s ruling was in favour of Star India, a third judge upheld the tariff order except certain riders.
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.
