The Hindu Business Line : Avoid conflict on CAS: Minister

THE implementation of the conditional access system (CAS) should not become a subject of hostility between the Centre and the State, according to the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad.

While the Minister declined to elaborate on the unsuccessful rollout in Mumbai and Kolkata, sources said that the Government has been in touch with both the West Bengal Government and top officials of the Shiv Sena.

A meeting has been convened of the officials of State Governments next week to sort out the issue. Also, the Government is planning to involve the State Governments when the system is extended to other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, a forum of 50 consumer organisations under the aegis of the Consumer Coordination Council (CCC) while calling CAS a "monumental blinder" have sought the Prime Minister' intervention to ensure that a regulatory mechanism is put in place and a "transparent and consumer friendly" system rolled out.

"If elections are not due immediately in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, should CAS be implemented in those cities with impunity," said Mr S. Krishnan, Director, in a letter to the Prime Minister.

He also added that elections could not be the reason for deferring CAS in Delhi. It also added that the conflict between the various stakeholders such as broadcasters and multi-system operators had left the consumers "confused".

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Avoid conflict on CAS: Minister