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TRAI report: 139 channels violating 12 mins AdCap rule
New Delhi: A Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) report reveals that 27 news and current affairs and 112 general entertainment channels continue to violate the regulations for telecasting a maximum of twelve minutes of advertisements and commercials.
The report released by TRAI shows that the number of violators among news channels has come down from 36 while that of non-news channels has risen from the 105 as on June 29.
Average duration per hour of Advertisements (commercial and selfpromotional) during peak hours (7pm to 10 PM) in pay news channels for the period June 29 to September 27, 2015 shows that the highest of these is 20.99 minutes by Zee Akaash News Pvt. Ltd and the lowest is 12.55 minutes by Zee Media Corporation Limited.
Among pay non-news channels for the same period, the highest is 21.20 minutes by 4U Broadband India Pvt. Ltd and the lowest is 12.07 minutes by Movies Now+. There are at least fifteen news and 25 non-news channels clocking more than fifteen minutes per hour which indicates increase over June-end, reveals the TRAI report.
According to information available to TRAI, the rest of the news channels are carrying less than 12 minutes of average duration per hour of advertisements (commercial and self-promotional) during peak hours (7pm – 10 pm) from June 29 to September 27. TRAI says that the information is based on the data submitted by the broadcasters and that it bears no responsibility for the figures given.
A petition against the AdCap rule had been filed by the News Broadcasters Association and some channels challenging the TRAI decision to implement the directive of 12 minutes contained in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and TRAI are the respondents in the petition.
As reported earlier, even as the broadcasters are still to come to an amicable solution with the government, the AdCap conundrum continues to drag on with another postponement for early next year. After the Information and Broadcasting Ministry told the Court on November 27 that it was discussing the issue with broadcasters, the matter was put off to 11 February. This was the first time that the Ministry had put in an appearance in the petition. The Bench observed that the matter had been pending for some time and therefore it will hear and conclude the case in the next hearing.
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.
