The Hindu Business Line : Govt to implement CAS `at the earliest'

AFTER setting aside the implementation of the conditional access system (CAS) for one and half years, the Government has decided to put in place an addressable system for the cable industry in the three metros of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

Speaking to newspersonsafter the 25th conference of State and UT Ministers of Information and Cinematography (SIMCON) here, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister, Mr Jaipal Reddy, said, "We have agreed that a detailed scheme would be worked out by the Government of India in consultation with the State Governments of Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal."

The interest of the consumer, as well the large investments made towards digitisation of the network by the cable industry, must be kept in view, he said.

However, Mr Reddy did not give any time period for implementing CAS, but said it would happen at the earliest.

The National Democratic Alliance had made the implementation of CAS compulsory and had notified the four metros. However, CAS was rolled out only in Chennai.

The Delhi High Court in December 2003 declined to restrain the Centre from implementing CAS in Delhi as prayed by a public interest litigant. The Government's subsequent attempts to seek views from various State Governments did not elicit much response.

It was also agreed at the meeting that cable operators would have to register themselves with a district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate or police commissioners.

To curb piracy, video libraries would be brought under a regulatory regime of a local authority either through registration or licensing. The I&B Ministry is also mooting the idea of having a separate optical fibre law to tackle piracy. Currently, the Copyright Act is under the Human Resources and Development Ministry.

Reduction in entertainment tax was also discussed and the States agreed to bring it down to 30 per cent.

Delivering the inaugural address at SIMCON, Mr Reddy said, "A high tax rate is not conducive for the growth of the entertainment industry. Reduction in tax rates could result in cheaper tickets and greater attendance in cinema halls."

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