The Hindu Business Line : Govt to go ahead with CAS in 3 metros despite opposition

THOUGH there has been opposition against the implementation of the conditional access system (CAS) from the three metros of Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, the Government is confident that the system will roll out from September 1.

Highly placed sources said that there would be no deferment of CAS in the three other cities.

"The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has been in talks with the Shiv Sena supremo, Mr Bal Thackeray, and other officials, and is expecting CAS to go through in the city," sources said. There are also efforts to ensure that there are no problems in the other centres.

The Government is also likely to go soft on implementation. According to the law, after September 1, pay channels can be viewed only through set top boxes (STBs) and if violated, this is a cognisable offence. "But it is unlikely that stiff action would be taken in the initial period," said sources.

Meanwhile, there have been doubts on the implementation of CAS in the three metros. In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena has been opposing CAS. According to the Federation of Cable Operators Association since CAS is not in public interest, there is opposition.

The West Bengal Government has expressed strong opposition to its implementation without discussing the matter with the concerned States.

In Chennai, the poor offtake of STBs has been a concern. Also a consumer on Friday challenged the implementation of CAS in the Madras High Court on the ground that no basic requirement for the system had been put in place. The petition is likely to be heard on Monday.

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