ITV

Tag: I&B

  • Services sector in I&B shows significant growth in FDI inflows: Economic Survey

    Services sector in I&B shows significant growth in FDI inflows: Economic Survey

    NEW DELHI: The services sector in the field of Information and Broadcasting earned $515.1 million as inflow of foreign direct investment between April and October of 2015-16.
     
    According to the Economic Survey for 2015-16 presented to Parliament, this was in comparison to $255 million in 2014-15.
     
    The figures also showed that the total FDI inflow between April 2000 and October 2015 was $4484.5 million in this sector. 
     
    The largest growth was in computer software and hardware, going up from $2296 million in 2014-15 to $4122.5 in 2015-16 up to October 2015. Thus the total growth from April 2000 to October 2015 was $19139.8 million. 
     
    The Survey said the government had made significant changes in the FDI policy regime in recent times to ensure that India remains an increasingly attractive investment destination.
     
    In order to provide simplicity to the FDI policy and bring clarity on application of conditionalities and approval requirements across various sectors, different kinds of foreign investments have been made fungible under one composite cap. 
     
    Significant FDI-related liberalisation has taken place in a number of sectors/areas of the economy including some services and service-related sectors like construction development, broadcasting, civil aviation, cash and carry wholesale trading, wholesale trading (including sourcing from micro and small enterprises [MSE]), single brand retail trading and duty free shops, private sector banking, and credit information companies.
  • Former I&B Secretary Bimal Julka is now Information Commissioner in Central Information Commission

    Former I&B Secretary Bimal Julka is now Information Commissioner in Central Information Commission

    NEW DELHI: Former Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary and retired Indian Administrative Service officer Bimal Julka is among the three persons who have been appointed Information Commissioners in the Central Information Commission.

    The others are retired Staff Selection Committee Chairman Amitava Bhattacharyya and retired Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat Divya Prakash Sinha.

    While Julka was from the Madhya Pradesh cadre of 1979, Bhattacharya was an IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre in the 1980 batch, Sinha was an Indian Police Service officer of the 1979 batch in the Manipur-Tripura cadre.

    The appointments have been made for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

    The appointments are under the Right to Information Act 2005.

  • Former I&B Secretary Bimal Julka is now Information Commissioner in Central Information Commission

    Former I&B Secretary Bimal Julka is now Information Commissioner in Central Information Commission

    NEW DELHI: Former Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary and retired Indian Administrative Service officer Bimal Julka is among the three persons who have been appointed Information Commissioners in the Central Information Commission.

    The others are retired Staff Selection Committee Chairman Amitava Bhattacharyya and retired Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat Divya Prakash Sinha.

    While Julka was from the Madhya Pradesh cadre of 1979, Bhattacharya was an IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre in the 1980 batch, Sinha was an Indian Police Service officer of the 1979 batch in the Manipur-Tripura cadre.

    The appointments have been made for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

    The appointments are under the Right to Information Act 2005.

  • I&B steps up content regulation with directive on horrow show timings

    I&B steps up content regulation with directive on horrow show timings

    NEW DELHI: Rapped by the government, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an apex body of broadcasters operating in India, has formed a panel which will look into the slotting of horror shows on private satellite channels so that such shows are not easily accessible to children.

    Reason: a missive from the Information and Broadcasting ministry on the issue of horror shows and their effect on children. The formation of the panel on horror shows – comprising Star India chief executive Peter Mukerjea, SET India chief executive Kunal Dasgupta and Sri Adhikari Brothers’ vice-chairman Markand Adhikari – also coincides with certain steps on content regulation that the Indian government proposes to take. 

    The Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the I & B ministry will be meeting tomorrow to discuss ways which can possibly give the government powers to control what it feels is undesirable programming on TV channels.

    Broadcasting industry sources confirmed that the IBF has formed a panel to look into the issue of horror shows as it received a letter from the I&B ministry saying various representations have been made to it on rampant airing of horror and thriller shows during prime time which can have negative effects on children. 

    The sources indicated that the IBF panel might look at shifting such programming on to late night slots or at times when children are not likely to be watching television.

    Programmes like Aahat and Achanak on Sony, Shhh…Koi Hai on Star Plus and Khauff on Sabe TV usually air at 9 pm or 10 pm on weekends currently. 

    The parliamentary panel tomorrow will discuss ways on how the government can enforce a control on content being put out on television channels, including commercials that have been termed objectionable like the Fair & Lovely cream ad – which, as per a petition to the I&B ministry by a human rights commission, promoted colour prejudice and is biased against the dark skinned girl child.

    According to government sources, the move to get some hold over content on television also comes in the wake of frequent objections raised by members of Parliament on un-Indian like programming on the small screen. 

    Meanwhile, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) is close to finalising a programming code that is to be followed by the member-broadcasters. 

    According to early information available with indiantelevision.com, the IBF programming code, aimed at self-regulation, is a lengthy document running into almost 100 pages. It will be put up for the board’s approval once it is finalised. 

  • I&B steps up content regulation with directive on horrow show timings

    I&B steps up content regulation with directive on horrow show timings

    NEW DELHI: Rapped by the government, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an apex body of broadcasters operating in India, has formed a panel which will look into the slotting of horror shows on private satellite channels so that such shows are not easily accessible to children.

    Reason: a missive from the Information and Broadcasting ministry on the issue of horror shows and their effect on children. The formation of the panel on horror shows – comprising Star India chief executive Peter Mukerjea, SET India chief executive Kunal Dasgupta and Sri Adhikari Brothers’ vice-chairman Markand Adhikari – also coincides with certain steps on content regulation that the Indian government proposes to take. 

    The Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the I & B ministry will be meeting tomorrow to discuss ways which can possibly give the government powers to control what it feels is undesirable programming on TV channels.

    Broadcasting industry sources confirmed that the IBF has formed a panel to look into the issue of horror shows as it received a letter from the I&B ministry saying various representations have been made to it on rampant airing of horror and thriller shows during prime time which can have negative effects on children. 

    The sources indicated that the IBF panel might look at shifting such programming on to late night slots or at times when children are not likely to be watching television.

    Programmes like Aahat and Achanak on Sony, Shhh…Koi Hai on Star Plus and Khauff on Sabe TV usually air at 9 pm or 10 pm on weekends currently. 

    The parliamentary panel tomorrow will discuss ways on how the government can enforce a control on content being put out on television channels, including commercials that have been termed objectionable like the Fair & Lovely cream ad – which, as per a petition to the I&B ministry by a human rights commission, promoted colour prejudice and is biased against the dark skinned girl child.

    According to government sources, the move to get some hold over content on television also comes in the wake of frequent objections raised by members of Parliament on un-Indian like programming on the small screen. 

    Meanwhile, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) is close to finalising a programming code that is to be followed by the member-broadcasters. 

    According to early information available with indiantelevision.com, the IBF programming code, aimed at self-regulation, is a lengthy document running into almost 100 pages. It will be put up for the board’s approval once it is finalised. 

  • I&B names 9 social media contest winners to witness Republic Day Parade

    I&B names 9 social media contest winners to witness Republic Day Parade

    NEW DELHI: Nine winners whose names were announced today by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in contests organised on its social media platforms as a part of Republic Day celebrations, will get invitations to attend the Parade.

     

    The contests were held on Ministry’s platforms of Facebook (facebook.com/inbministry), Twitter (@MIB_India) and specially designed webpage (http://www.graffiti.inbministry.in) where graffiti were invited from participants on various flagship programmes of the Government.

     

    The competition was open for a fortnight from 1 to 14 January. The travel and accommodation arrangements of all these winners are being sponsored by Ministry.

     

    For the graffiti wall, the themes were Start Up India, Stand Up India; Digital Empowerment; Entrepreneurs of Young India; Skilled India, Powerful India; Make In India; Financial Security to All and Housing For All.

     

    The response on graffiti was over-whelming with 419 entries across all themes. The first prize in the graffiti contest was awarded to Narendra Kumar Singh for his work captioned Housing for All. “He has beautifully captured the idea of ‘Housing for All’ by using a metaphor of Weaver Birds’ nest. It shows independent and affordable housing for everybody across various income categories,” the jury said.

     

    The second prize was awarded to Narendra Borlepwar’s artwork Skill India, which depicts “the fusion of Education and vocational training leading to recognisable improvement in the economic graph.”

     

    The third prize was awarded to Vimal Kumar’s artwork Make In India showing “ladders, which visually double up as scaffolds on construction sites best captures the idea of ‘making.’”

     

    For the Twitter contest, netizens’ responses were invited on Twitter on three hashtags; #VisionofTeamIndia, #MyIdeaofIndia and #RDayNotJustaHoliday. A total of 888 tweets were received by @MIB_India. The winners of the tweet contests across three theme segments taken collectively are as follows in order of first, second and third places:

     

    Bhaiya ji Joshi @Igjganesh –“#MyIdeaofIndia For evry Mouth there is Meal for evry girl there is life For evry head there is roof For evry foot there is road (sic).”

     

    The I&B Ministry said that the user has summed up in very simple terms that everybody in the India should have the basic needs satisfied.

     

    N. Vinayak @vinumon2016 “#VisionofTeamIndia centre and states working together in the great act of nation building in spirit of ‘all for one and one for all.”

     

    In this, the user has drawn our attention to cooperative federalism, said the ministry.

     

    Neer Joy @neerjanni2000 – “#RDayNotJustaHoliday It is a moment2get inspiration 4rm freedom fighters & to taking up new initiatives4making India No1 country. (sic)”

     

    Via this message, the user has invoked the sacrifices and sufferings of freedom fighters for whom India became independent and a constitution was framed, the ministry said.

     

    Regarding the Poster making contest on Facebook, participants were invited to send posters on three themes; Give It Up – LPG Subsidy, Per Drop More Crop and Save the Girl Child. A total of 432 posters were received by the Ministry. The jury awarded first prize to A. Parag Chitnis for his artwork captioned “Save the Girl Child” where “the artist has highlighted a graphical representation of a female gene, which is led to the noose, whereas a male foetus seldom faces this ordeal.”

     

    The second best poster was designed by Sudhir Komawar for his artwork captioned “Per Drop More Crop,” which “brilliantly captures super imposed image of the leaves of crops inside huge drop of water reminding that how a universe of microscopic can subsist in a drop of water.”

     

    The third place was awarded to Anunay Arko for his painting captioned “INDIA where we worship goddess and a child is being killed, for being a GIRL.” It captures “a brilliant truism that women are the substratum of mankind.”

  • I&B names 9 social media contest winners to witness Republic Day Parade

    I&B names 9 social media contest winners to witness Republic Day Parade

    NEW DELHI: Nine winners whose names were announced today by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in contests organised on its social media platforms as a part of Republic Day celebrations, will get invitations to attend the Parade.

     

    The contests were held on Ministry’s platforms of Facebook (facebook.com/inbministry), Twitter (@MIB_India) and specially designed webpage (http://www.graffiti.inbministry.in) where graffiti were invited from participants on various flagship programmes of the Government.

     

    The competition was open for a fortnight from 1 to 14 January. The travel and accommodation arrangements of all these winners are being sponsored by Ministry.

     

    For the graffiti wall, the themes were Start Up India, Stand Up India; Digital Empowerment; Entrepreneurs of Young India; Skilled India, Powerful India; Make In India; Financial Security to All and Housing For All.

     

    The response on graffiti was over-whelming with 419 entries across all themes. The first prize in the graffiti contest was awarded to Narendra Kumar Singh for his work captioned Housing for All. “He has beautifully captured the idea of ‘Housing for All’ by using a metaphor of Weaver Birds’ nest. It shows independent and affordable housing for everybody across various income categories,” the jury said.

     

    The second prize was awarded to Narendra Borlepwar’s artwork Skill India, which depicts “the fusion of Education and vocational training leading to recognisable improvement in the economic graph.”

     

    The third prize was awarded to Vimal Kumar’s artwork Make In India showing “ladders, which visually double up as scaffolds on construction sites best captures the idea of ‘making.’”

     

    For the Twitter contest, netizens’ responses were invited on Twitter on three hashtags; #VisionofTeamIndia, #MyIdeaofIndia and #RDayNotJustaHoliday. A total of 888 tweets were received by @MIB_India. The winners of the tweet contests across three theme segments taken collectively are as follows in order of first, second and third places:

     

    Bhaiya ji Joshi @Igjganesh –“#MyIdeaofIndia For evry Mouth there is Meal for evry girl there is life For evry head there is roof For evry foot there is road (sic).”

     

    The I&B Ministry said that the user has summed up in very simple terms that everybody in the India should have the basic needs satisfied.

     

    N. Vinayak @vinumon2016 “#VisionofTeamIndia centre and states working together in the great act of nation building in spirit of ‘all for one and one for all.”

     

    In this, the user has drawn our attention to cooperative federalism, said the ministry.

     

    Neer Joy @neerjanni2000 – “#RDayNotJustaHoliday It is a moment2get inspiration 4rm freedom fighters & to taking up new initiatives4making India No1 country. (sic)”

     

    Via this message, the user has invoked the sacrifices and sufferings of freedom fighters for whom India became independent and a constitution was framed, the ministry said.

     

    Regarding the Poster making contest on Facebook, participants were invited to send posters on three themes; Give It Up – LPG Subsidy, Per Drop More Crop and Save the Girl Child. A total of 432 posters were received by the Ministry. The jury awarded first prize to A. Parag Chitnis for his artwork captioned “Save the Girl Child” where “the artist has highlighted a graphical representation of a female gene, which is led to the noose, whereas a male foetus seldom faces this ordeal.”

     

    The second best poster was designed by Sudhir Komawar for his artwork captioned “Per Drop More Crop,” which “brilliantly captures super imposed image of the leaves of crops inside huge drop of water reminding that how a universe of microscopic can subsist in a drop of water.”

     

    The third place was awarded to Anunay Arko for his painting captioned “INDIA where we worship goddess and a child is being killed, for being a GIRL.” It captures “a brilliant truism that women are the substratum of mankind.”

  • I&B Ministry to move Supreme Court to club all DAS cases into one

    I&B Ministry to move Supreme Court to club all DAS cases into one

    NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry will be moving the Supreme Court to club the various orders in different High Courts, which ordered extension of Phase III of the Digital Addressable System (DAS) beyond 31 December, 2015.

     

    I&B Ministry Secretary Sunil Arora confirmed to Indiantelevision.com that the apex court would be moved in this connection within the next few days.

     

    However, it was not immediately clear whether this would be a fresh appeal, or – as was reported by this website on 7 January – it would be in the form of an appeal against one of the High Court orders with an additional request that since other matters are similar they also be heard at the same time.

     

    This decision came as a disappointment to many multi system operators (MSOs) in other states who said they would find it very difficult to come to Delhi to fight the case or pay the high fee charges by Supreme Court advocates for this purpose.

     

    Several rounds of discussions have been held internally as well as with the officials of the Law Ministry and legal experts over the past few days before coming to this decision, to thwart the snowballing effect of the orders that commenced from Hyderabad and found a boost in the arguments in the Bombay High Court based on the Kusum Ingots case of 2004, which encouraged MSOs and local cable operators (LCOs) in other states.

     

    At present, the implementation remains stayed for varying periods in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Orissa, Sikkim, and Telangana, apart from Tamil Nadu where prolonged legal cases have been pending since Phase I.

      

    There was also general consensus that this was the right course as the apex court had on an earlier occasion relating to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and orders issued thereunder that High Courts have to be cautious when giving orders on matters relating to policy.  

      

    At the same time, Ministry officials said that while obeying the directives of the various High Courts, which had extended the DAS deadline by various periods ranging between eight to 12 weeks, it would prepare to oppose the decisions.

     

    A senior Ministry official also said it was working on how plans to thwart the implementation of Phase III could be prevented – if necessary through legislative processes.

     

    The official also expressed the view that the cases would in fact work against the last mile operator and benefit the direct to home (DTH) and Headend In the Sky (HITS) players.

     

    Sources said they had evidence to show seeding of set top boxes (STBs) to the extent of 76 per cent as revealed in the 13th Task Force meeting on 30 December. 

     

    Meanwhile as earlier reported, legal opinion is divided on whether the Kusum Ingots case, which was referred to in the Bombay High Court could be used by a High Court to direct a pan-India stay.

     

    The broadcasters and channel distributors feel any extension would only lead to delays in all fields of digitisation including a further delay in not just the Phase III and Phase IV (slated for December 2016) but also pockets of Phase I and II, which have still not implemented digital addressable systems.

     

    At the same time, the stakeholders agree that there is a shortage of STBs and just one or two players are making local boxes despite the ‘Make in India’ campaign, and the government had to be make some relaxations in the budget in this regard.

     

    With the I&B Ministry now taking the matter to the Supreme Court, the developments ahead will be keenly watched by all stakeholders.

  • TRAI to meet stakeholders to discuss DAS issues on 18 December

    TRAI to meet stakeholders to discuss DAS issues on 18 December

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has called a meeting of stakeholders – primarily broadcasters and multi system operators (MSOs) – on 18 December to sort out any problems relating to agreements in order to ensure a smooth transition to Phase III of Digital Addressable System (DAS) by 31 December, 2015.
     
    This information was given to the 12th DAS Task Force meeting presided over by its chairman and Information and Broadcasting Ministry special secretary J S Mathur this week. Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya was also present.
     
    Broadcasters and MSOs were told categorically that there would be no extension of the deadline for Phase III and analogue signals should be switched off from 1 January, 2016 in all urban areas of the country. The final phase covering the rest of India will be completed by 31 December, 2016.
     
    TRAI had earlier asked all stakeholders to apprise it of any problems arising out of finalising agreements amongst various stakeholders.
     
    While Jaya referred to public awareness campaigns carried out by the Ministry, the broadcasters presented a report about the publicity campaigns that they have been carrying on both television and radio.
     
    TRAI also informed the Ministry about the meetings held with stakeholders since the last Task Force meeting on 22 September.
  • Only 188 community radio stations operational even after a decade of this sector

    Only 188 community radio stations operational even after a decade of this sector

    New Delhi, 25 November: Even as 235 entities have signed the grant of permission agreement (GOPA) for setting up community radio stations in the country, the actual number of operational CRS is only 188 after more than a decade of launch of this sector.

     

    This shows an increase of only eight community radio stations since the last list issued in May this year.

     

    A total of 960 applications for CRS had been either rejected or withdrawn as on 15 November.

     

    However, another 323 applications are still under the consideration of the government from educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, Krishi Viguan Kendras and State Agriclture Universities. Some of these date back to 2011.

     

    The operational stations include 105 by universities and private and government educational institutions, seven by NGOs, seven by Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and five by State Agricultural Universities.

     

    State-wise, Tamil Nadu has the hghest number of CRS with 27, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 23. Maharashtra has 17, Madhya Pradesh has 15, and Karnataka has 14 stations. Uttarakhand, Haryana and Odisha have nine each; Kerala and Rajasthan have eight each; Delhi and Gujarat have six each; Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Telangana have five each; Assam, Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Puducherry, Punjab, and West Bengal have three each; Himachal Pradesh has two and Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand have one each.

     

    Thus, there are only three CRS in the northeast, and only one in J and K.    

     

    Though the scheme was launched around a decade earlier, the outreach of the Community Radio Stations was enhanced in 2006 to include non Governmental and Community based organizations with at least three years of legal existence.