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TDSAT dismisses petition against BARC on landing page issue differing from Delhi HC view
KOLKATA: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has dismissed the petition against TV audience measurement body BARC India on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. Bennett Coleman and Sun TV Network approached the tribunal on the legality, validity of a recent decision taken by BARC on the landing page issue.
The petitioners claimed that BARC India had acted arbitrarily by adopting a formula which according to petitioners reduce the viewership data collected by measurement tools of BARC India. On September 3, the latter announced the introduction of algorithms into its data validation method to mitigate the impact of the landing page on viewership data across all genres of channels.
While the tribunal gave out the final judgement on 4 November, it stated that it found out after both the parties that the main task was to find out whether BARC is a licensor of any ( specified) public telecommunication/broadcasting services; and (ii) whether it is providing a service that is made available to the public as users.
Notably, the petitioners also approached Delhi High Court earlier. TDSAT has differed from the Delhi High Court’s opinion that BARC is a licensee or a service provider under the TRAI Act. “It is noted that in para 34 of its order dared 29.09.2020, the Hon’ble High court clarified that the finding that TDRSAT would have jurisdiction to entertain the petition was a prima facie one and in Para 45 it was further made clear that none of the observation shall bind TDSAT which shall hear the petition filed by the petitioners and any interim application filed therein without being influenced by any of the observations made in the order. Hence, the issue of jurisdiction has been raised afresh and parties have been heard in detail,” TDSAT noted.
TDSAT also stated that since it has been found that BARC is neither a licensee nor a service provider as defined under the TRAI Act, the petitions under consideration are found to be beyond the jurisdiction of its Tribunal. Hence, the petitions have been dismissed on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
However, the petitioners would be at liberty to pursue their grievances in accordance with law before any court of competent jurisdiction.
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.
