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Tag: I&B minister

  • Prakash Javadekar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh

    Prakash Javadekar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh

    NEW DELHI: Prakash Javadekar, who has been made Minister of State with independent charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, today took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. 

     

    Javadekar, who had filed only a single nomination form, was elected unopposed.

     

    The Minister’s term as a Rajya Sabha member came to an end on 2 April this year. He had been a member of the Upper House since 3 April 2008.

     

    The by-poll was necessitated as the sitting BJP member and former Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste got elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandla (ST) seat following which he resigned from his membership of the upper house. 

     

    Like his immediate predecessor Manish Tewari, he has also been the spokesperson of the party he represents. (He has also been given charge of Environment and Parliamentary Affairs.)

     

    Javedekar has also been one of the nominated members from Parliament to the Press Council of India and hence has dealt with media issues such as paid news.  

     

    A member of the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra, Javadekar was born in Pune on 30 January 1951 and became associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in his young days.

     

    He commenced his professional life as an employee in the Bank of Maharashtra for 10 years from 1971 to 1981 and also worked in the Rural Development Department. Sick Unit Cell, Employment Promotion Programme of the Bank.

     

    His father Keshav Krishna Javadekar was a senior leader of Hindu Maha Sabha who worked as joint editor of Marathi Daily started by Lokmanya Tilak – Kesari before having stints with some other newspapers like Tarun Bharat and Kaal as journalist. He still occasionally writes his thoughts in some newspapers.

     

    Javadekar has been president of GLOBE India (Global Legislators Organisation for Balanced Environment; In-Charge, BJP Economic Forum and Cells related to Economy; President, NOINO (National Organisation of Insurance Officers); and president, KCKU (Khadi Commission Karmachari Union).

     

    As a member of the Parliament, he has served as member of the Press Council of India; the Public Accounts Committee; Standing Committee on Human Resources and Development; Consultative Committee for Ministry of Power; Committee on Subordinate Legislation and Committee on Wakf.

     

    He has earlier served as executive president of the State Planning Board in Maharashtra (1995–1999); been a  Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council from Pune Division Graduate Constituency for 12 years from 1990; chairman of the Task Force on IT in Maharashtra (1977–1999) and chairman of the Working Group on “IT for Masses” of the Central Government.

     

    He has also led a delegation to Boston to Negotiate Media Lab Asia Project in 2000.

     

  • Biometric systems to check attendance in I&B Ministry, quotations invited

    Biometric systems to check attendance in I&B Ministry, quotations invited

    NEW DELHI: A few days after Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar had forced around 100 officers of the Ministry to take leave for the day for coming late to office, the Ministry has decided to install biometric device for Attendance System.

     

    The Ministry has called for quotations for such systems (through finger print/face detection/ smart card) with in-built time and attendance software in the Ministry in Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi.

     

    The quotations have to be filed by the end of this month and will be opened the same day in the presence of those who bid.

     

    The bid has to be furnished in a two-bid system: technical bid and financial bid. Details of the contents of these bids have been furnished on the website mib.nic.in.

     

    The financial bid of only those firms will be considered which qualify for the technical bid. 

     

  • Budget 2014 is an opportunity for M&E to grow: Sudhanshu Vats

    Budget 2014 is an opportunity for M&E to grow: Sudhanshu Vats

    The new government’s overall inclination towards development brings with it great optimism about the new Budget (2014) for me – not just as the head of an organisation but also as a representative of the Media and Entertainment industry. In fact, the Media & Entertainment industry experienced a whiff of fresh air with the new I&B Minister’s thoughts at the recent CII CEO roundtable. Eminent colleagues from across the industry raised key issues, which Shri Javadekar patiently heard and responded to – a sign of the new government’s strong preference for accountability and focus on governance.

     

    The industry is poised for exponential growth during the term of this new government – almost doubling every year. It has the potential to provide almost six million direct jobs and also add to the economy as an aid to tourism.

     

    After the extensive discussions and dialogue with colleagues and members of this bustling industry, I’ve penned some suggestions that can fuel the industry to reach never-before levels of growth.

     

    Accountability

     

    Accountability is the one thing that lacks processes in the Media & Entertainment space. A single-window clearance mechanism for permissions, especially for films and events, will motivate the industry to concentrate more on revenue streams rather than go around in circles. The wish list would remain only partially addressed without queries and licenses becoming more time-bound.

     

    And while we expect an evolution in policies, keeping them clear and consistent with foresight at the back of the mind constantly, future action can be planned at the organisational level with greater certainty and generate opportunities for employment in large numbers, thus contributing significantly to the economy.

     

    Pragmatic Policies

     

    The media and entertainment industry is currently valued at USD 20 plus billion with significant growth potential. We’re poised to catapult to the next level with a few pragmatic policy reforms. Additionally, the M&E industry has the capacity to generate almost six million jobs directly and also further boost sectors like tourism.

     

    More Spending Power

     

    Rationalising Income Tax slabs is a key step towards taking the burden off the consumer’s shoulders. He will have more money to spend on his favourite means of recreation – entertainment.

     

    Tax Abatement

     

    And while we are on the topic of the Media & Entertainment industry and its role in the economy, one of the biggest losses I believe that it incurs is almost the one-third of revenue that it gives away in taxes and multiple licence fees over and above recurring commissions. These need to be re-evaluated and rationalised. In anticipation of GST implementation, entertainment and service taxes can be lowered to a more reasonable level.

     

    Considering the premise of development that the new government has adopted, we expect a growth oriented budget, laying down a clear and consistent long-term roadmap. These steps that I have attempted to chalk out, will only allow the entire industry to collectively entertain India even more, even better!

     

    (These are purely personal views of CII National Committee on Media & Entertainment chairman & Viacom18 Media group CEO Sudhanshu Vats and indiantelevision.com does not subscribe to these views.)

  • Javadekar clears air about 100 % FDI in news

    Javadekar clears air about 100 % FDI in news

    MUMBAI: Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar, in an exclusive interview to NewsX, cleared the air about the Centre mulling over to allow 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in news media.

     

    Talking to NewsX’s Senior Executive Editor Priya Sahgal, Javadekar said, “I never said ok to 100 percent FDI. We haven’t said it. Never.”

     

    The minister asserted that “it’s the industry which has to take the call.”

     

     “People are discussing, let them discuss. Will talk with all stakeholders,” he added.

     

    Currently, foreign investment is allowed only up to 26 per cent in news and current affairs media.

     

  • Prakash Javadekar says UPA government suppressed media

    Prakash Javadekar says UPA government suppressed media

    MUMBAI: “There are 16 crore TV homes in the country, but only 8000 to 9000 peoplemters are being utilised to measure TRPs,” said Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar during his Mumbai visit on 21 June.

     

    The ever smiling Javadekar, did not fail from raising a few relevant issues even during his packed schedule. The Minister addressed the press on two occasions during the day. While he was the chief guest at the ‘Narad Gaurav Puraskar’ award ceremony organised by the Vishava Sanvad Kendra, he also was present at the Foundation Day celebration of the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh.

     

    Javadekar also stressed on how every channel was fighting to gain the maximum eye balls. “In this quest, every channel claims to be numero uno, but how is that possible and especially with only 8000-9000 peoplemeters measuring TRPs?” he questioned.  

     

    Every form of media, according to the I&B Minister, must evolve their own mechanisms which are independent to behave in a responsible manner. “Since India’s own freedom struggle, the freedom of the press has not come free. Great leaders have sacrificed and therefore the freedom of the press must be preserved,” he emphasised.

     

    The newly appointed Minister also dropped a word of caution. He said, “The UPA government had followed a draconian emergency mindset.”  He added that he has come some files pertaining  to a channel called Janam where the previous government had shown tremendous reluctance in providing the necessary licenses as one of its promoters was allegedly a RSS sarsanghchalak. “This should not be the case as the same principles should be followed for all channels,” he expressed.

     

    The channels promoters told a newspaper that they had been given the run around for a couple of years but a licence was issued with the explaination being that one of the channel’s promoters is associated with the RSS. They additionally informed the newspaper that those backing Janam  were NRIs and one of the promoters’ father was a RSS member.

     

    Javadekar has apparently written about this case to home minister Rajnath Singh, and it’s quite possible that its licence will be processed and cleared soon, says the newspaper.

     

    Commenting on the current media scenario, Javadekar concluded by saying that sensationalism is not journalism.

  • Government committed to communicating with people across media platforms: Javadekar

    Government committed to communicating with people across media platforms: Javadekar

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar today promised a stable policy regime with transparency and time-bound mechanism and said efforts would be streamlined so as to make the process of clearances speedy and transparent.

    He said while addressing the “CEOs Roundtable on Media & Entertainment” by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) that the government has always promoted the Media & Entertainment fraternity as partners in growth and would remain a facilitator to encourage the growth of the industry and provide a roadmap in the interests of the people.

    Javadekar said the potential of the Indian M&E industry is untapped and endorsed the CII vision of taking the Indian M&E industry to $100 billion by the end of this decade. He said the government will be “partner in progress” with the growth of the M&E industry.

    Reacting to suggestions from stakeholders, Javadekar said the policies of this government would be people-centric and would aim at meeting the aspirations of the common citizens. He added that providing information, entertainment and knowledge to the citizens would be the priority of the Ministry. Innovative approaches would be encouraged so as to ensure quality information.

    “This government is about communication and consensus. We will create a process in which decisions will be taken in four weeks which was taking four months earlier,” he said with reference to decisions pertaining to the broadcast sector.

    The Minister was categorical that the ongoing digitisation will not be abandoned, Radio phase III licensing will be processed faster, news allowed in FM radio, current DAVP rates will be relooked and self regulation advocated for print medium.

    The Minister also emphasised on the need for expanding the reach of Community Radio and aimed at opening up of 1000 Community Radio Stations in near future.

    Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Speed, Skill and Scale’, the Minister urged the media industry to strive to attain new heights.  

    Praising new-age technologies, he described how the social media platforms had changed the dimensions of news reporting.

    While recognising the importance of the Freedom of Speech and Expression he emphasised on the need for responsible journalism. Javadekar assured the stakeholders that their suggestions on various policy issues would be looked into in a time-bound manner.

    Earlier, I&B secretary Bimal Julka assured the media that the Ministry would work as a facilitator for the industry and would work towards single-window clearances ‘with no multiple grills’ for better transparency and accountability. He said the phase III FM Radio auctions will be completed by December 2014. Julka also made a request to the M&E industry to present budget proposals to his Ministry by 23 June to be presented to the Finance Ministry.  

    40 top CEOs of the M&E sector interacted with the Minister and were confident that pending decisions will not be further delayed by the new government. Issues related to broadcast, films, DTH, cable, radio, print, news broadcast were briefed by industry leaders at the CII roundtable.

     “We believe that the soft power of Indian M&E sector can bring innumerable benefits to the Indian economy. The M&E industry provides direct employment to around 10 million people and has the potential to double the number. This sector also is on the cusp of achieving the same global success that the Indian IT industry has achieved,” said CII president Ajay Shriram.

    CII Media and Entertainment Committee and group CEO, Viacom 18 Media, Sudhanshu Vats said accountability, clarity and foresight from M&E stakeholders will take the sector to new heights.

    In his opening address CII DG Chandrajit Banerjee said that an innovative push from the government in an enabling regulatory infrastructure and policy reforms will create a world class knowledge driven entertainment in India. 

     

  • FICCI proposes a road map for M&E to Prakash Javadekar

    FICCI proposes a road map for M&E to Prakash Javadekar

    NEW DELHI: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for constitution of a task force for improving screen density in India. This is also to ensure that entertainment tax is fully subsumed in the GST without creating a window for its levy at the local level.

     

    In a road map presented to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, FICCI expressed confidence that this would provide the much-needed boost to the Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector.

     

    A delegation led by FICCI president Sidharth Birla stated that the M&E sector had tremendous potential for dynamic growth and multiplier effect on employment generation without much spending from the public exchequer.

     

    The ‘Policy Roadmap for the Media and Entertainment Sector in India’ comprises key recommendations for the television, film, print, radio, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) and live events sectors.

     

    In a move that will cause a lot of consternation among working journalists, the industry body has called for abolition of the Wage Board Act for the print sector and for  urgent announcement of fiscal relief measures for newspapers.

     

    The roadmap calls for early enactment of the amended Cinematograph Bill so that the rights of all stakeholders can be protected.

     

    In the television broadcast sector, FICCI wants relaxation in FDI limits in news broadcasting and infrastructure status to the cable sector, apart from smooth and orderly implementation of digitisation.

     
    The body urged the government to ensure that the process of auctions under FM Radio Phase III rolls out smoothly without any further delays. The auctions should be completed by September or October this year and Phase II licenses which expire from April 2015 are extended well before the end-date.

     

    Referring to reduction in channel separation, the government must immediately accept Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s recommendations so that an FM revolution can be brought about. A larger number of radio stations will also mean more job creation and a much wider programming variety for the people of each city. The chamber has also called for allowing news in an unrestrained manner and increasing FDI in FM radio to 49 per cent.

     

    For the AVGC Sector, it has recommended creation of an investment fund, incubation and market development fund, tax relief, skills and talent development, co-production treaties and focus on kids’ channel in terrestrial broadcasting space.

     

    FICCI expressed its gratitude to the Minister on his announcement regarding the launch of a dedicated channel for kids and animation content on the national broadcaster Doordarshan.

     

    Given the vast and intensive reach of Doordarshan across the country, this initiative will – by popularising kids and animation content – create a demand for original intellectual properties in the sector provide an enormous boost to its growth. Indian kids’ and animation content has long been battling the challenge of outpacing global competitors – and a dedicated forum for distribution such as an exclusive channel from the national public broadcaster will act as a boon for the sector.

     

    FICCI expressed the hope that appropriate steps will be taken soon by Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan to make the vision of a kids and animation channel in the public broadcasting space a reality in the very near future.

     

    It has been asking for creation of a dedicated kids and animation channel from Doordarshan for several years, and has been lobbying this initiative at various levels in the Ministry, as well as with Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan. FICCI had even taken a delegation of industry stakeholders to the Prasar Bharati CEO, a couple of years earlier and made a presentation for a dedicated kids channel by Doordarshan.

    The benefits of a ‘DD Kids’ Channel’ would be manifold: not only would it be instrumental in catalysing original IP creation for animation and kids’ content in the country but also serve as a medium for the dissemination of content that is uniquely Indian in its cultural ethos.

     

    While Indian myths and tales continue to be of interest to children in India today, broadcast content for children and animated shows continue to be largely dominated by foreign-made IPs.

     

    Thus, the launch of a kids and animation channel by the national public broadcaster would ensure greater exposure for Indian-made content, which would in turn give a new lease of life to diverse value-based indigenous stories and allow for their packaging in attractive formats that appeal to today’s children.

     

    The initiative will serve as a reinvigoration of our country’s rich cultural heritage and help inculcate quintessentially Indian mores and ethics in the young minds of India – compensating in some measure for the lost art of storytelling in today’s nuclear-family-dominant society. 

  • NBA seeks remedy from new I&B Minister

    NBA seeks remedy from new I&B Minister

    MUMBAI: With the new Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar taking charge of changing the way the Ministry works in the country, the entire media fraternity is keen to meet him and make him aware of the issues concerning them.

     

    The latest in the queue to meet the Minister is the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), a body that represents various national and regional news channels of the country. The group included NBA president and NDTV executive vice chairperson KVL Narayan Rao, vice president and MCCS CEO Ashok Venkatramani, India TV chairman Rajat Sharma, Zee Media group CEO Bhaskar Das and India Today group CEO Ashish Bagga.

     

    The main issues that were put forth were regarding carriage fees and the ad cap. “These are huge problem areas that need to be addressed because all news broadcasters are adversely affected. The minister has said that he would do whatever he can about our problems,” says a source.

     

    The NBA had challenged the ad cap regulation by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in TDSAT which was then taken to the Delhi High Court where it is currently pending trial. News broadcasters say that they have been severely affected due to carriage fees.

  • M&E industry to meet I&B Minister next week

    M&E industry to meet I&B Minister next week

    MUMBAI: After the mammoth election, the new BJP-led NDA government took charge on 26 May and since then, the new Information & Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar, has been a busy man. From attending press conferences and ceremonies to meeting the various stakeholders, he has been on the move since he took the oath.

     

    The Minister has been vocal about his thoughts on what he expects from the industry and what needs to be done. On day one itself, he had announced his commitment towards freedom of press and there is no intention of regulating the media. This has given new hopes to the media industry which is currently caught-up in policy hurdles, implementation delays and controversies.

     

    As per industry sources, the Minister will be meeting the various associations of the Media & Entertainment industry together early next week.

     

    Though the dates aren’t clear yet and so is the agenda, but the various sources have hinted upon the following topics which will be discussed over the table.

     

    Digitisation – With the phase I & II over and III & IV in the pipeline, it will be one of the hot topic. The Minister, couple of days back had said that in a step to boost employment and small-scale industry, efforts will be made to encourage indigenisation of set-top boxes. The stakeholders could also discuss carriage fees, opportunities in the DTH and how digitisation can help broadcasters.

     

    Licences – More the merrier has been the slogan for large media houses. With more and more channels being launched by networks, many pending licence files have been gathering dust in the numerous Ministry offices.

      

    FDI – The Ministry is already looking for inputs from various stakeholders on whether to allow 100 per cent FDI in News media. Currently, the FDI allowed is up to 26 per cent in news and current affairs media, while 100 per cent is allowed in non-news media like trade publications and entertainment channels.

     

    Way forward – The industry has been in a limbo for a long say highly placed industry sources who are betting that the new Minister will be able to hurry up things and set a positive tone for the coming years.

     

    “The meeting is all about the big picture. Everyone has been wanting to meet the new Minister and discuss the grievances and hurdles they face,” says a source who believes a little pep talk and a push is needed to take things in a positive trend.

     

    Agreeing, another industry source adds, “Everyone will come with their own wish list in a hope to get things to work in their benefit and economically do better than what it has been doing so far.”

     

    One thing is clear that in the meeting set to be held early next week, the new I&B Minister will have his platter full, with M&E industry handing him a checklist.

  • Arasu should be given DAS licence, Jayalalithaa tells Modi

    Arasu should be given DAS licence, Jayalalithaa tells Modi

    NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has once again raised the issue of granting a digital addressable system licence to Arasu Cable TV Corporation, which is owned by the state government.

     

    While the demand was raised before Prime Minister Narendra Modi when she called on him yesterday, it is expected that this matter would be referred to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar for consideration.

     

    However, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has in two different consultation papers in 2008 and December 2012 given its opinion against state-owned multi-system operators or broadcasters getting licences.

     

    Ministry sources told indiantelevision.com that licences have not been issued to any state-owned organisation for running cable TV networks as TRAI had recommended that neither state-owned, local bodies nor religious organisations should be permitted to own TV channels.

     

    Earlier this year, then I&B Minister Manish Tewari had told Parliament that Arasu Cable TV Corporation had applied on 26 November 2007 for grant of MSO registration in CAS notified area of Chennai and had been granted provisional permission on 2 April 2008, subject to the report of TRAI on the issue of whether to allow state governments/PSUs and other entities to enter into broadcasting activities.

     

    Thus, Arasu had been given permission on the ground that it would automatically lapse if the Ministry decides against allowing state governments/PSUs and other entities into broadcasting activities, including MSO/Cable operations.

     

    In April last year, the Madras High Court had been informed by TRAI that Central and  State government ministries, departments, companies and undertakings should not be allowed to enter into the business of broadcasting or distribution of television channels. 

     

    Justice S. Rajeswaran was hearing writ petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation seeking Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence to it for Chennai Metro and for the other parts of the State.