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STBs should also be offered on rent: Centre
NEW DELHI: The central government today came into play to resolve the conditional access imbroglio in South Delhi area by issuing a notification that makes it mandatory for cable operators to offer consumers an option of taking set-top boxes (STBs) on rent.
The government also made it clear that the outcome of CAS in South Delhi would decide whether it would be rolled out in other parts of the city as well. This was conveyed even as Delhi CM Sheila Dixit met information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today to assess the Delhi situation.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Prasad also hinted that it is only in deference to court’s directive that CAS was being sought to be rolled out in South Delhi.
Dixit, on her part, said that her government is still new in office, though it is trying its best to see CAS remains consumer friendly. She also said that sub-divisional magistrates would monitor CAS rollout in the absence of a regulatory body.
Both the Centre and the Delhi government have agreed to also set up a dedicated consumer court to settle cable-related disputes.
However, Dixit evaded questions pertaining to the state government’s laxity in dealing with CAS.
The notification issued by the I&B ministry states: “Every consumer must be given a choice of either purchasing a STB outright or acquiring it through rental scheme which will entitle him to a refund, should he not wish to use the STB for any reason”.
Prasad also reiterated what he had stated in the Parliament yesterday. He said, “We would expect all stakeholders to settle any corporate rivalry… Failure to address these issues adequately would certainly jeopardise the implementation of CAS in other areas.”
However, both Prasad and Dixit have ruled out rolling back CAS implementation for the time being.
Meanwhile, additional secretary (broadcasting) in the I&B ministry Vijay Singh held a review meeting with the Delhi MSOs and expressed the government’s apprehension on lack of adequate education to South Delhi consumers.
The MSO assured the government that though the education process is on, “more concerted efforts would be made till 1 January”.
Pointing out that about 20,000 boxes have already been seeded in the market, Jawahar Goel, head of Siti Cable, said the cable industry is doing everything in its powers to educate the consumers. He said, if cases of forcible selling of boxes had been reported, then they may have been exceptions.
Hathway Datacom’s president (operations) for the North Indian region, S N Sharma, said that with the signing of an agreement with Zee Turner, Hathway CAS subscribers in Delhi would also get the Zee and Turner channels.
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.
