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TDSAT asks Karnataka LCO body to reconcile disputes with Siti Cable
NEW DELHI: The Karnataka State Digital Cable TV Operators Welfare Association has been asked to visit the Bangalore offices of Siti Cable Networks to reconcile their accounts and resolve their disputes about quality of set top boxes (STBs).
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) had asked the parties in August to take their issues before a mediation centre by 30 September. It was informed today that the parties were meeting and discussing the matter bilaterally.
TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava listed the matter for future hearing on 9 October.
It had also directed the parties in the last hearing that status quo would be maintained till this exercise is completed.
Furthermore, the Tribunal said any one of the two parties were free to mention the matter before the Tribunal in case it is not satisfied with the mediation.
The Karnataka Association claims to represent 269 cable operators and its counsel Nittin Bhatia claimed that the STBs were of very poor quality and was badly affecting the viewing quality of the signals supplied by Siti Cable.
He said that all the cable operators who are part of the petition were willing and prepared to make payment of the monthly subscription fees at the rate of Rs 60 per month. He also stated that the cable operators are willing to have a reconciliation of accounts and if any dues are found against them at the rate of Rs 60 per month, they would clear all the dues without delay.
Bhatia said all the cable operators who are represented in the petition were willing to introduce package-based transmission as directed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), as in that case the cable operators would also be entitled to certain benefits.
Siti Cabe counsel Upender Thakur said there was a dispute as to the number of cable operators involved. He also said large sums are due against the cable operators and in any event Siti Cable is bound to follow the TRAI’s direction to introduce package-based transmission of channels.
The Tribunal said the parties should first try to resolve their disputes through mediation. It asked the mediator to try to conclude the matter expeditiously.
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.
