HC raps government on CAS delay; next hearing 5 July

HC raps government on CAS delay; next hearing 5 July

HC

NEW DELHI: The government today got some reprieve and the stick on the issue of CAS from the Delhi High Court.

While fixing 5 July as the next date for hearing in a case pertaining to implementation of CAS in three cities, the court questioned the government's rationale for seeking 265 days for rollout of addressability.

On 10 March, the Delhi High Court had directed the government through the information and broadcasting ministry to implement CAS in four weeks.

The order had come on a petition filed by some MSOs, including Hathway and INCablenet.

A few days after the 30-day deadline got over in April, the government and sector regulator had filed an appeal in the court seeking more time to facilitate rollout of CAS.

The government's contention was that a consensus needed to be evolved for implementing CAS for which eight to nine months time was needed.

However, the court today reiterated that it would like to see the rollout happen during this calendar year and directed the government to deposit a fine of Rs 100,000.