Ministry:
Information and Broadcasting
- The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Second Amendment Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2011 by Ms. Ambika Soni, Minister of Information and Broadcasting. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Information Technology on January 5, 2012.
- The Bill amends the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 (Principal Act). The Bill seeks to do the following: (a) prohibit transmission or retransmission of unregistered channels; and (b) enhance penalties under the Act.
- The Bill seeks to insert a new section that prohibits cable operators from carrying, or including in their cable service, any satellite or terrestrial television broadcast or channel that is (a) not registered with the central government; (b) not approved by the central government for viewing within the territory of India; or (c) not allowed under the provisions of any central Act or Rules.
- The Bill seeks to penalise transmission of broadcasts or channels that contravene the proposed section with a minimum fine of Rs 50,000 for the first offence; and with a minimum fine of one lakh rupees.
- The Principal Act penalises all contraventions with imprisonment up to two years or a fine up to a maximum of Rs 1,000.
- The Bill seeks to increase the value of fine for contravention of the provisions of the Principal Act from one thousand rupees to one lakh rupees.
