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Subscription rates in DAS phase III & IV expected to be half of that in first two phases
NEW DELHI: The subscription revenue from phase III and IV areas of Digital Addressable System (DAS) is expected to be between 20 to 30 per cent as compared to 70 to 80 per cent from phase I and phase II areas.
Therefore, channel pricing in phase I and II areas need to be decided for areas under phase III and phase IV so that multi-system operators can plan operation in these areas.
This was stated during the fifth Task Force meeting on phase III and IV held recently under the chairmanship of Information and Broadcasting Ministry additional secretary J S Mathur and attended among others by DAS adviser Yogendra Pal.
Pal informed the meeting that while the centre had sought from all states and union territories (UT) the district wise data of urban areas to be covered in phase III with number of households, only Chhatisgarh and Uttar Pradesh had responded.
Similarly, only around 15 states and UTs had responded to the query about nodal officers, both at State level and district level.
Only Gujarat had responded to the query about nomination of one LCO association from each State and UT for the LCO sub-group.
The states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are still to respond to the query about nomination of a local cable operator association to the Task Force.
Mathur directed that copies of the letters written to State Governments in this regard may be provided to the nodal officers present in the meeting to expedite the pending nominations/data.
Referring to procurement plans and stock of Set Top Boxes (STB) requirements of phase III, the MSOs said they had limited inventory of STBs. Procurement of STBs is taking place according to earlier orders and no new orders have been placed by the national MSOs either with foreign suppliers or indigenous STB companies.
The MSOs stated that they are making arrangements for finances for procurement of STBs for phase III. The position with regard to availability of funds would be clear by the end of February.
At the outset, Mathur said digitisation in phase I and II has been possible due to active cooperation and support of State Governments.
A Representative of Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association stated that they had called a meeting with MSOs in December 2014 but the response was not good. None of the major MSOs attended this meeting. He mentioned that indigenous STB manufacturers are ready to discuss all issues with MSOs anywhere and anytime.
Mathur advised the MSOs to have a meeting with indigenous STB manufacturers to sort out all the issues. He said the Ministry was also planning to hold a meeting with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on the demand of long-term financing.
When MSOs raised the difficulty of signing agreements with broadcasters, a representative of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) stated that broadcasters cannot deny signal to MSOs once they are DAS compliant. He suggested MSOs should make a formal written request to the broadcasters for the signal according to the regulations. He added that broadcasters should enter into agreements with MSOs for distribution of content without waiting for the cutoff date.
A representative of a consumer forum stated that computerized billing was not happening in phase I and II areas. He added that CAF forms should be filled before installation of an STB.
For publicising the extension in date for applying for MSO registration for operation in phase III areas, it was suggested that broadcasters run a scroll on their channels. It was also suggested that MSOs download a video spot made by the Ministry and play it on their local channels.
The MSO representatives were told to share the data of existing MSOs operating in analogue regime with the Ministry. The representative of ASSOCHAM wanted that the broadcasters should be apprised for the same.
Regarding publicity campaign, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya said all stakeholders must contribute in spreading awareness about ongoing digitisation in the country. She suggested MSOs should run audio visual ads on their local channels. She also suggested spreading awareness through handbill or printed ads on monthly bills issued by LCOs to the consumers. She called upon broadcasters to plan publicity campaign on their channels.
FICCI, Cll and ASSOCHAM were asked to draw up a plan for workshops for public awareness campaign.
Mathur re-emphasized the need to mount an awareness campaign by all stakeholders particularly the broadcasters. He also asked all the MSOs to begin discussions with indigenous STB manufacturers to meet the deadlines of phase III of December 2015 and phase IV of December 2016.
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.
