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Tag: Prasad

  • Government issues notifications disallowing bundling and setting terms for STB offtake

    Government issues notifications disallowing bundling and setting terms for STB offtake

    NEW DELHI: The Indian government today further tightened the screws on the broadcast and cable industry on conditional access system (CAS) by issuing a notification that is aimed at safeguarding the cable consumer from bundling of channels by broadcasters and ensuring that the cable operator makes provisions for rent and security deposit on set-top boxes in the manner specified by the government.

    Both the initiatives had been first reported by indiantelevision.com (Government mulls notification on STB offtake terms and Government to issue notification disallowing post-CAS bundling)

    However, the government has made some concessions for the broadcasters and left some room for maneuverings by stating that discounts can be given to the subscribing public.

    Announcing the initiatives, information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told journalists, “The broadcasters have been given time till 15 June to furnish details about the channels they operate, the mode in which they are done and the pricing of individual channels. But if any broadcaster has not provided the details, the cable operators would be directed not to beam such channels after 14 July when CAS is supposed to come into force.”

    The relevant parts of the cleverly-worded notification states: “Every cable operator shall publicise either through advertisements in the print and electronic media or through other means to the subscribers, the subscription rates and the periodic intervals at which the subscriptions are payable for receiving various pay channels provided by such cable operator.”

    “Every cable, operator shall, while so publicising, be required to indicate precisely the following information: rates of subscription of each individual pay channel provided by the cable operator and discounts, if any, offered on subscribing to a minimum number of channels or more, provided that discounts so offered for subscribing to the minimum number of channels or more shall not be such as to dilute/nullify the choice of subscribing to individual channels.”

    “Provided further that the subscriber shall not be forced to buy more than the channel(s) of his choice through the mechanism of discounted pricing and by grouping of channels in such a way as to tender the choice of individual pay channels offered an illusory one.”

    Reacting to the government move, Jawahar Goel, additional vice-chairman of Zee Telefilms said, “I still have to study the government announcement in detail, but what I have gathered is that there is nothing bad for the broadcasters. Certainly for the consumers it looks great and if the government wants us broadcasters to announce the price of each pay channel, we should do it quickly.”

    Sony Entertainment Television India CEO Kunal Dasgupta said the notification has made it clear that it was the responsibility of the cable operators to announce the prices of the pay channels they had on offer. “It’s good in that it makes it clear that the cable operators have to announce individual prices or packages of pay channels to their subscribers. Therefore, it is now incumbent on the cable operators to work out deals with pay channels before the 15th (June).”

    Dwelling on the provisions for the STBs, the notification states, “The cable operator shall make provisions for rent and security deposit, or refund thereof, as well as warranty, repair and maintenance, in the manner notified by the government.”

    The notification makes one thing clear: the government actually has put a lot of responsibility on the cable operator, while not targeting broadcasters directly in the notification. It is the cable ops duty to stop beaming errant channels after 14 July and it will also be the service provider’s duty to keep track of security deposits on STBs.

    NO FREQUENT HIKE OF SUBSCRIPTION RATES OF PAY CHANNELS
    According to Prasad, though the government would leave the pricing of the pay channels to market forces, it would see that frequent hikes in subscription rates of pay channels do not inconvenience consumers.

    When I&B ministry secretary Pawan Chopra was quizzed on the validity of the time period for a pay channel’s pricing, he said, “Once announced, the prices must be valid for six to 12 months.”

    That means, if a pay channel announces its price on June 15 and CAS comes into effect from 14 July, the particular price would have to be effective for at least a period of six months.

    Asked whether government was contradicting itself by disallowing bundling of channels even while allowing discounting of channels, Prasad said, “Discounting (and the resultant indirect bundling) in this case would be in consumer interest as consumers should get discounts on bulk buys and CAS is all about being consumer-friendly.”

    TALKING TO CRITICS OF CAS
    Reiterating what he had told indiantelevision.com yesterday in an interview, Prasad said that critics of CAS still abound, but he is not ready to get “cowed down.”

    “People who talk of having a broadcast regulatory authority in place before CAS is implemented are using arguments put forward by motivated groups who oppose CAS. I’m not ready to buy these arguments or get cowed down,” the minister thundered, giving a clear message to that segment of industry that is opposing CAS’ implementation.

    Prasad also admitted that the government would have to hold talks with consumer groups too, as it is doing with other stakeholders of the industry.

    “I have already held talks with some consumer groups,” Prasad said, adding that a lot of misinformation is being spread on CAS vis–vis consumers.

    On availability of STBs, Prasad said that the MSOs and cable ops have assured him that by 14 July at least 2.7 million boxes would be in the market in the four metros.

    The minister said a decision whether to include neighbouring townships of the four metros in the first phase of CAS has not yet been taken as also a final one cross-service restrictions.

  • STB customs duty reliefs only until 31 July

    NEW DELHI: The summer special discount from the government to the cable consumers of the four metros of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai: buy set-top boxes before 31 July and get up to 45 per cent discount on the computed price of the box.
    “With the reduction in the customs duty levied on set-top boxes, the benefit works out to about 45 per cent keeping in mind the way duties are computed,” information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today told journalists after the government, under severe pressure to postpone implementation of conditional access system (CAS), announced a hefty reduction in the various duties levied on import of STBs.
    The move also shows that the present government is Hell bent on implementing CAS and the State is powerful enough to bring in legislative measures overnight that would facilitate this, if it really wants to take a policy to its logical end of implementation.
    A finance ministry statement related to a notification on this, dated 28 May, said today, “The (basic) customs duty on integrated receiver decoder, also known as set-top box, is being reduced from 25 to 5 per cent. Set-top boxes are also exempt from additional duty of customs (CVD or countervailing duty of 16 per cent) and special additional duty of customs (of 4%).” These concessions are available up to 31 July, 2003.
    In effect, it means that up to 31 July only 5 per cent basic customs duty will be levied on import of STBs. Prasad explained that this move is meant to give a fillip to the import of STBs and, if need be, the deadline can be extended. However, he said the CAS rollout deadline of 14 July remains “unchanged”.
    Reacting to the development, Zee Telefilms additional vice-chairman and Siti Cable head Jawahar Goel told indiatelevision.com, “We would definitely pass on the benefits to the consumers and would come up with a restructured rent-a-box scheme for STBS for consumers.”
    So, how does it work? According to Goel, suppose the landing cost of a box is Rs 2,500, then additional levies on that would be 1 per cent landing duty (Rs 25), 5 per cent basic customs duty (Rs 125), plus the sales tax, which varies from state to state between 4-12 per cent. In Delhi, for example, an STB would attract a sales tax of about 8 per cent that would work out to about Rs 208. The cost of the box would thus in Delhi be approximately Rs 2,500+Rs. 25+ Rs. 125+ Rs. 208, which would total up to Rs 2,858.
    Hinduja Group MSO INCableNet welcomed the government’s decision and announced an “introductory scheme” starting 15 June making available digital STBs at a deposit of Rs 999 plus a daily rent of Re 1.
    The Star India-backed and Rajan Raheja promoted MSO Hathway Datacom also hailed the development. Neeraj Bhatia, V-P, western region said, “Hathway has always been endeavoring to roll out conditional access in a consumer friendly manner and we are very happy that the government has responded to our long pending submission to reduce the high duties on set top boxes. This will reduce the box price substantially and we will pass the whole thing to the consumer.”
    Contacted by indiantelevision, Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea today said, “I think the move (duty reduction on import of STBs) is good for the industry.”
    PRASAD DEFENDS THE MOVE:
    Admitting that there was some political pressure, Prasad today said that the prime minister and the deputy prime minister had told him ensure that CAS has to be consumer friendly and keeping that in mind, the government has reduced the duty component on import of STBs drastically.
    Wearing a yellow kurta “to beat the heat”, Prasad, who only returned from Bangkok early today morning, also took on the political opponents and critics of CAS by saying a lot is being written about CAS, but many do not understand the benefits that would accrue to the consumer.
    “Delhi’s chief minister Sheila Dikshit has written saying that CAS implementation should be reviewed, but let me read out a para from the letter that makes it clear she is not opposed to CAS per se,” Prasad said, bringing to fore all his capabilities as a lawyer, while putting forth an argument forcefully.
    Throwing a challenge to Dikshit and others of her ilk opposing implementation of CAS from 14 July, Prasad said, “The Central government has done its job, I’d appreciate if the state governments (Maharashtra and Delhi are ruled by Congress governments) now do their duty on sales tax if CAS is to be made consumer friendly.”
    A clear indication to the state government ruled by the Congress and the non-Congress parties that they should follow suit and look at ways to reduce sales tax on STBs.
    Taking a potshot at Congress’ criticism of CAS being anti-consumer, Prasad quipped, “It’s time we lifted it (the debate on CAS and its rollout) beyond political polemics.there is no need to make CAS a game of football.”
    Defending his ministry’s stance, Prasad also said that his political party, BJP, is a democratic organization where everybody has a right to voice his or her concerns, but “let me assure you CAS would give the consumer the freedom of choice and bring about transparency in the industry.”
    BROADCASTERS CAUTIONED:
    Taking the opportunity to send across a message to all stakeholders of the industry, Prasad said that the government is, and would be, monitoring CAS on a daily basis.
    There are various safety measures in the relevant Acts (like a cable op cannot arbitrarily choose and show free to air channels as all genres need to be represented that is a cognizable offense if flouted), Prasad said, adding, “If need be appropriate (additional) legislative measures would be taken.” A clear message to all the stakeholders of the industry that they should fall in line.
    Asked, if the government is doing anything to ensure that the broadcasters go in for unbundling of pay channels, Prasad said, “The ministry is monitoring (the proceedings) daily and some information on pay channels would be shared with you all.”
    According to him, the government is seized of the matter and steps would be taken to ensure that the consumer gets the freedom of choice and at affordable price. “It cannot be that a particular bouquet is selling at Rs 100 now and for CAS one channel is priced at Rs 90. The industry should help in serving the consumer that would also give all a market,” the minister said. He concluded by sending an “appeal” to all stakeholders of the industry to realise that CAS is beneficial for the consumer and a good service would attract a good market.

    Also Read:
    Govt. cuts customs duties on set top boxes

    STB duties: finance ministry won’t budge

  • Prasad rules out extension of CAS deadline

    NEW DELHI: India’s information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today categorically ruled out any extension of the 14 July deadline of CAS and also attempted to convey to broadcasters that since bundling of pay channels would not be allowed, earlier they come out with the individual pricing of each pay channels, the better.
    The minister also hinted that neighbouring townships of the metros — like Noida and Gurgaon near Delhi — here CAS is being sought to be implemented in the first phase may be included for a rollout.
    In turn, representatives of the cable industry assured the minister that orders for a sizeable number of set-top boxes, needed to route pay channels in a CAS regime, have been placed — 2 million boxes by Siti Cable and over 2.5 lakh by HTMT (along with a committed capacity of an additional 1.25 million boxes).
    Another topic that came up for discussion was the issue of variable pricing of pay channels in the same city depending on the socio-economic strata of the cable consumer.
    Pointing out that discounting of pay channels’ prices is an issue between the content and service provider where government does not see itself playing any role, Prasad, however, emphasised that whatever may be the case, the pay channels would have to be necessarily routed through set-top boxes.
    According to government sources, the representative of the Hinduja-owned HTMT, which manages the INCablenet in various cities told the minister, that ICICI has evinced interest in making available funds for procuring boxes. This probably would be the first case of a private sector financial organisation coming out to extend financial help to a sector like cable that has always been considered by banks and financial institutions as a high-risk business.
    The sources also said that interestingly INCablenet representative expressed his concern over the delaying tactics being adopted by broadcasters on pay channels’ price vis-?-vis the investment already made by the company in anticipation of a timely rollout of CAS.
    INCablenet is one MSO that seems to have become the target of most broadcasters in Mumbai where `switching off’ is concerned.
    In a meeting today with the multi-system operators, the first of a new series of meeting that the government would have with the stakeholders of the broadcasting and cable industry to facilitate a smooth rollout of CAS, the minister while allaying some fears of the cable industry, also expressed his concern at the delay on the broadcasters’ part to come out with the pricing of individual pay channels.
    The minister reiterated that the government would not allow any form of bundling of pay channels. Last week, I&B ministry secretary Pawan Chopra in an interview first made this fact official with indiantelevision.com.
    This move may put paid to some thoughts the broadcasters may be harbouring on cobbling together a super bundle of channels cutting across various bouquets.
    Prasad also heard the other concerns of the cable industry and, according to the sources, conveyed to the MSOs that if need be, the government would step in to facilitate an early announcement of the individual pricing 
    of pay channels by broadcasters.
    Today’s meeting was attended by senior executives from Siti Cable, INCablenet, Hathway, RPG and Spectranet, amongst others. After this meeting, it is expected that a meeting with broadcasters would be scheduled.

  • I&B minister Prasad to inaugurate FRAMES 2003

    MUMBAI: The clock for the start of the next edition of FICCI FRAMES 2003, the convention dedicated to the business of entertainment, is silently ticking away. Information & broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will inaugurate the event on 14 March.
    Prasad will felicitate singer Asha Bhosle and legendary cine star Dev Anand. FRAMES (Films, Radio Audio-visuals, Music,Events and Shows) 2003 takes place from 14-16 March at the Renaissance Convention Centre in the Mumbai suburb of Powai. In the previous years the event lasted just two days.
    There will be over 50 speakers from abroad and 26 sessions. As readers are aware indiantelevision.com is once again the online media partner for the event.
    The minister for Telecom, IT and disinvestment Arun Shourie will deliver the valedictory session on 16 March. On 14 March UK’s MP state secretary department of culture, media and sports Rt Hon. Tessa Jowell who is the guest of honour will address the inaugural session. Film producer Yash Chopra will deliver the opening address. Bollywood’s Rani Mukherjee will light the lamp.
    As a prelude on 13 March there will be a seminar on technology for media and entertainment. This is being organised under the aegis of the e-Entertainment Alliance. Entrepreneurs and industry experts will speak on the convergence of technology and entertainment.

  • Govt. warns it will brook no dilly-dallying on CAS rollout

    NEW DELHI: The government cracked the whip on the stakeholders of the broadcasting and cable industry and those involved with implementation of conditional access systems, even as a broad consensus seems to have been arrived at on the number of channels, 30, that would make up the basic tier of free to air channels.
    In a surprise appearance at the meeting of the task force on CAS held here today, I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya addressed the gathering. For the first time, a Sahara TV representative too, was present in his capacity as the representative of a free to air channel.
    In a short, but categorical, address, Prasad said the problems of the stakeolders would be properly addressed, but cautioned that no effort to frustrate the implementation of CAS would be tolerated.
    Prasad said that the government has made a conscious decision to introduce CAS keeping in view the sole interest of the consumer, an issue which was reiterated by Somaiya too. But a cable operator pointed out that there was a hint of “threat” in the firmness with which Somaiya spoke.
    Somaiyya, citing the instance of the Mumbai blackout by cable operators and today’s Mumbai high court ruling, a development that has been reported by indiantelevision, made it clear that, if need be, such an agitation would be taken to other cities too and the issue would be raised in Parliament also.
    The next meeting is likely to be held around 21 March.
    According to Prasad, the commitment of the Government to provide an affordable system to the consumer is “categorical, clear and unambiguous.”
    Later after the guest artistes in the meeting had made their presence felt and left, others discussed the composition of the basic tier.
    According to some of those who were there, it was mentioned that the basic tier should comprise channels from all genres if available. The genres would be entertainment, news and current affairs, sports, infotainment, apart from the Doordarshan channels.
    There are free to air channels in most genres, but almost all available sports channels are pay, including DD Sports, which is yet to sort out a legal case initiated by Modi Entertainment Network against an assertion made last year by a Prasar Bharati official that DD Sports may turn free to air.
    Though most of those who attended the meeting agreed that 30 would be an adequate number for the basic tier, some cable operators suggested that an extra nominal amount per channel should be fixed if a cable operator wanted to show more than 30 channels as part of the basic tier.
    This suggestion, however, seems to have been shot down as it found very little favour in the meeting, according to some of those who attended the over two-hour meeting at Shastri Bhawan.
    As an aside, a consumer activist from Mumbai also brought up an issue of portrayal of consumer activism and consumer activists by some MSOs in Mumbai vis-a-vis CAS.
    A finance ministry representative also listed out the elements taken into account while trying to fix a price of the basic tier by the government. The gathering was told that while calculating the probable price of the basic tier, the govrnment has taken into account cable networks that cover regions in the radius of 3 km, 4 km and 7 km.

  • FDI cap on DTH to stay: Prasad

    NEW DELHI: Cold water has been poured over the expectations of Star and Zee-ASC combine if they thought the government would move away from its promised common minimum programme, announced at the beginning, and relax the foreign investment cap in DTH venture from the existing 20 per cent.

    This was confirmed by information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in a written reply to his fellow parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) today.
    After the announcement came in Parliament, a senior I&B ministry official told indiantelevision.com that though the NK Singh panel had suggested raising the FDI cap to 49 per cent in DTH ventures and some of the suggestions were discussed by a group of ministers last week,” DTH was never part of that day’s agenda.”
    “We also feel that the minister is not in any hurry to overturn any decision or stand taken by his predecessor,” the official said.
    Swaraj had, in fact, told journalists late last year that under her the I&B ministry had rejected the Singh panel recommendation on DTH.
    On whether government proposes to put in place a regulatory system to ensure licence for DTH is granted to a foreign company which keeps an Indian company as a dummy, Prasad said I&B ministry regulates grant of licence for these services.
    Still, it is also a fact that the files relating to permission sought by Space TV and ASC Enterprises Ltd for DTH licences have been lying with Prasad for the last fortnight waiting for a stand to be taken by him on the issue.
    “It is in fact quite frustrating to know that the files are with the minister and no decision is being taken on DTH,” a senior executive of one of the applicant companies said.
    As per existing guidelines, total foreign investment including FDI/Non-resident Indian/Overseas Corporate Bodies/Foreign Institutional Investors in DTH broadcasting shall not exceed 49 per cent within which the FDI component shall not exceed 20 per cent.
    Meanwhile, Prasad also informed the house that the government was considering a proposal to review the present norms permitting foreign-owned news channels to uplink from India.

  • Prasad prioritises professionalism on DD, AIR

    Prasad prioritises professionalism on DD, AIR

    NEW DELHI: Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ravi Shankar Prasad reiterated on Monday that developmental information can also be presented in a way that is both entertaining and educative.

    He also said priority would be given to encourage creativity, professionalism and competition on Doordarshan and All India Radio as compared to other private channels. Presiding over the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the ministry, Prasad said the effort would be to promote creativity so that “development presentation also becomes entertainment.”

    The other area getting his priority would be films which have growth rate of 100 per cent and great potential of employment and revenue generation (Prasad had said this in an interview to indiantelevision.com earlier after taking over the new portfolio). According to him, he would see that this sector gets the best incentive, initiative and support.

    The minister said that both DD and AIR have the best available talent and are capable of producing much better programmes, but what they must do is to project themselves properly and “market aggressively.” He said that the government would provide more support for content creation.

    Prasad reiterated his favourite theme : both DD and AIR would project the 10th Plan in order to inform people so that they are able to participate in the implementation of this ‘People’s Plan’. The public service broadcaster character of Doordarshan and AIR must be maintained and should not be affected by commercial considerations, he told the parliamentary panel.

    Meanwhile, addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 15th International Engineering and Technology Fair 2003, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry on Monday, Prasad hinted that the Chinese market too provides immense business opportunities for the Indian entertainment sector. Expansion of Indo Chinese trade in the entertainment sector was one of the key initiatives that would be taken up by his ministry, he added. 

    During yesterday’s parliamentary committee meeting, Prasad said that DD India, the international channel of Doordarshan was extremely popular among Indians abroad. It beams live national events like the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations for its global audience. Its programming aims at offering an update on the India’s social, cultural, political and economic scene. It carries ‘live’ news bulletins in Hindi, English, Sanskrit and Urdu, hourly news headlines, features on political events and discussions on events of national and international significance, Prasad said.

    DD India has also begun telecasting regional language bulletins in Malayalam, Gujarati and Tamil to begin with. The channel now telecasts 18 hours of fresh programming. 

    The meeting was also intimated that the Development Communication Division has undertaken publicity campaigns for several Central Ministries and departments. A Rural Development campaign is targeted at 600 districts and 6,00,000 villages, broadcasting programmes in 29 languages and dialects. Over 1000 programmes and 233 spots have been produced on health care, population and poverty, pulse polio, blood donation, AIDS awareness, iodine deficiency etc, he said. 

    Doordarshan commands a viewership of 259 million. As compared to this, among private channels, Star Plus has a viewership of 54 million, Sony 41 million and Zee TV 36 million, according to the minister. All channels put together, DD reaches 259 million as compared to the combined viewership of 166 million of all channels, the minister informed parliamentarians who are members of the panel. 

    Percentage wise, Doordarshan News captures 89.91 per cent, Aaj Tak 5.47 per cent, Zee News 2.84 per cent, Star News 1.32 per cent, BBC 0.20 per cent and CNBC 0.13 per cent of the population. The members gave several suggestions to improve Doordarshan programmes so that it is able to maintain its prime place in broadcasting in India . 

    Those who attended included Balram Singh Yadav, Hannan Mollah, E.M. Sudarsna Natchiappan, C Narayana Reddy, Kartar Singh Duggal, S.S Chandran, A.J. Maroo and Saroj Dubey.

  • Prasad says he still has to study Star News uplink issue

    NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Minister of state for I&B with independent charge, Ravi Shankar Prasad, at his first day at the office today, has said the Star News uplink issue needs to be properly studied, and the “guidance of the cabinet” taken, before he was ready to comment on it either way. 
    Prasad, who spoke to journalists this morning, did not seem to be in a hurry to take the Star News uplinking proposal to the Cabinet. Repeating what his predecessor Sushma Swaraj has been saying, Prasad explained that it’s a case which is unique and first of its kind for which he also needed the “guidance” of the Cabinet. 
    “Comments from some ministries are awaited,” Prasad said, when quizzed further on Star News’ proposal to uplink from India, pointing out that only after all the comments have been collated would the case be taken to the Cabinet. “It may take some time,” he admitted.
    Prasad, while referring to the 24 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in print news publications, said he was prima facie all for FDI (in television news broadcasting).
    The question, he said was in what form and under what terms the channel would operate. The contours of the case still needed to be properly framed, he said.
    Star News Broadcasting, a Virgin Island-registered company, had applied to the Indian government seeking permission to uplink from India content meant to be aired on Star News channel, the full editorial control of which is also being taken over by Star from 31 March 2003.
    After the application was made in the second half of 2002, critics had said though within the parameters of existing inadequate laws, Star News’ proposal would amount to 100 per cent FDI in news category in the electronic medium. The now former information & broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj, then had said that since Star News was a news channel primarily meant for the Indian audiences, the case was a first of its kind – unlike BBC World or CNN – and she would like to have “collective guidance” on the issue.
    Prasad’s initial comments on the case appear to indicate that he has taken a similar line on the case.
    The I&B ministry late last year had also circulated a draft Cabinet note on the issue to the ministries of finance, law & justice, IT & telecom, home affairs, defence and the Planning Commission, apart from the Prime Minister’s Office.
    PRASAD BACKS ‘RIGHTSIZING’ IN I&B:
    Prasad, while coming out in support of downsizing (of the government machinery), however, made it clear that the recommendatuion of the Geethakrishnan report would not be “accepted in toto.”
    “It has to be a blend of downsizing and right sizing,” Prasad said.
    Swaraj had managed to convince the finance ministry that out of the 5000-odd posts which had been recommended to be abolished after shutting down some media units, only 1000 should go.
    On Prasar Bharati, Prasad said that Doordarshan and All India Radio have to be the vehicle for spreading the message of development and communication and that the media, in general, also should help in spreading information for development.
    Asked for his views on conditional access, which has been mandated to be implemnted from 14 July, Prasad said that a task force has been set up (where surprisingly Star does not find a representation, though Jayaraman of Hathway has been included) and it will be doing the work on the basic tier pricing and composition.
    “I am still very new in this ministry. I’ll take some time to study and understand issues like conditional access,” he said disarmingly.

    Also see:
    Home ministry comment on Star News uplink pending

    Outgoing Swaraj reminisces I&B tenure

    CAS task force formed; to meet 7 Feb