I&B to expedite clearance process for TV channels

In a bid to expedite the clearances for downlinking and uplinking permission of private satellite television channels, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has commenced a process of monthly meetings to hear complaints or answer queries relating to such issues. The meeting would be held on the fifth of every month with the Director in charge of Broadcasting, Supriya Sahu, between 11 am and 12 noon to entertain any difficulty experienced by applicants in getting the clearance. "The applicants can use this opportunity to submit any relevant information/documents pertaining to their applications or uplinking/downlinking guidelines as also clarify any issues," according to a note circulated by the Ministry. "This initiative should facilitate the completion of documentation and response to queries that may require answers by the applicants and also obviate the need and practice of unnecessary visits to the Ministry by applicants."

The meetings are part of the process of an "absolutely transparent process" of granting permission as required under these Guidelines. The process of granting permission includes mandatory clearances from Ministries/Departments like Finance (Department of Revenue), Department of Space, Home Affairs, etc. The step was taken after the Ministry learnt that certain individuals claiming to be experts were offering consultancy for getting permission for Uplinking and Downlinking of channels. Senior Ministry sources told indiantelevision.com ‘categorically’ that the Ministry did not recognize any such consultants and they had no role in getting permission from the Ministry which had "a transparent set of rules and procedures and they are scrupulously followed."

-Indiantelevision