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Star files caveat in Supreme Court on TRAI tariff order
MUMBAI: So the slugfest on the pricing of digital television in India is entering the next round. And, it is Star India now that has approached the Supreme Court and filed a caveat with it on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) tariff regulations and more specifically on the 15 per cent discount issue.
According to sources, TRAI too had filed earlier a caveat at the apex court. A caveat is a notice given by a person or an organisation, informing the court that another person/company may file a suit or application against him/them and that the court must give the caveator – person/company filing the caveat – a fair hearing before deciding any matter brought before it in the relevant case.
Last week, the third judge of the Madras High Court had upheld the regulator TRAI’s order on channel tariffs and dismissed the petitioners’ (Star India and Vijay TV) plea that pricing of content is not under the jurisdiction of the TRAI.
Even as the high court upheld all the proposed regulations, it disallowed one that puts a cap of 15 per cent on the discount that can be offered by broadcasters or TV channels to distributors on the maximum retail price.
Another observation of the high court relating to broadcast re-transmission rights or BRR too hasn’t gone down too well with the petitioners and that could be an issue too behind an appeal at the Supreme Court. Though, it is still not clear whether the petitioners or respondent would appeal the Chennai court order.
Meanwhile a similar case is pending against the TRAI in the Delhi High Court. It involves Bharti Airtel Telemedia, Tata Sky and Discovery Communication India, which had filed petitions against the tariff order in 2017. The TRAI had then informed the court that the issues raised in the petitions were the subject matter of two writ petitions already filed in the Madras High Court and requested that it may await the outcome of those proceedings.
The Delhi high court had accepted the request but had directed TRAI that it should inform it and the petitioners about the judgment before effectuating the orders. Additionally, earlier the Supreme Court too had ordered the maintenance of status quo as far as the pricing regulations were concerned.
The Madras HC has suspended its decision for two weeks to give time to parties involved to appeal to a higher court or seek further clarifications from it.
Also Read:
Madras HC gives split verdict in Star India versus TRAI case
SC could take up TRAI-Star case on tariff regulations
TRAI-Star case back to Madras HC with SC rider
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.
