Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has
recently given some very far reaching and significant recommendations
to the Indian government. TRAI’s
recommended liberal shareholding rules for telecom service providers
is one such recommendation. TRAI has also provided its
recommendations regarding the feasibility of entering into
broadcasting business by the Central and State Government(s).
Now an inter ministerial group has been set up to
examine recommendations made by TRAI regarding the broadcasting
business by Centre and States. The group has been set up by the
Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B Ministry) and it would
be headed by the Additional Secretary J S Mathur.
The I&B Ministry would reach a conclusion only
after the group studies the TRAI’s recommendations. I&B
Ministry had earlier sought clarifications from TRAI on whether
Central or State Government(s) or entities on which they have control
could be allowed to enter broadcasting or distribution of channels.
TRAI had given an opinion that Central Government
Ministries, Departments, Companies, Joint Ventures or Entities which
belong to or are funded by Centre or State Government(s) should not
be allowed to enter in to the business of broadcasting and or
distribution of TV channels.
Many States have approached the I&B regarding
the issue at hand and the group’s finding may help the Ministry at
reaching a conclusive decision.
