Replying a question by Kunwar Akhilesh Singh in the Lok Sabha today, the minister said that the companies who have applied for license for providing DTH service are Space TV Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, ASC Enterprises Ltd (letter of intent given) and Essel Shyam Communication Ltd.

Licenses for DTH service will only be granted on fulfilling of laid down eligibility criteria and compliance with various terms and conditions prescribed in this regard.

CENSOR BOARD: The government has decided to extend the engagement of detective agencies to carry out checks in cinema halls to all regional centers of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the 10th Plan.

Replying to a question posed by Pawan Kumar Bansal in the Lok Sabha today, Prasad said that with a view to ensuring strict compliance of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the CBFC on a test basis had hired a private agency for carrying out regular checks in cinema halls initially in the four metropolitan cities during the period from 1 May, 2001 to 30 April, 2002.

He said that the agency carried out checks in 1859 theaters in the four metros and registered 31 cases. The number of complaints relating to censorship violations received by the CBFC in various forms in several states and union territories during the year 2000, 2001 and 2002 were 57, 144 and 105 respectively.

ECONOMIC AGENDA: Speaking at another function today, Prasad said that economic reforms in India today form an important component of political agenda. He said the impression that the reforms are elitist and meant for only the upper class of society has to be removed. The domestic reforms are as important as the globalisation process, but the pace is a matter of debate, he said.

Delivering the keynote address at the Annual General Meeting of the American Chambers of Commerce in India today, Prasad said that the scope of Indo-American relations is very large in the geo-political fight against terrorism, civilized democratic behaviour, free press and even in the military context.

He said, a great amount of maturity is coming about in Indo-American relations because of commonality of free society, free media, mutual trust and he hoped these will further develop despite some disagreements.

Prasad said the Indian economy has its inherent strength, which is reflected in its growing foreign exchange reserves' steady growth rate of over 5 per cent, 50 per cent growth in the software exports, decline in the people living below poverty line from 36 per cent to 27 per cent and containment of inflation rate despite severe drought, the Kargil war and sanctions following the nuclear explosion.

He referred to the great infrastructure thrust and said that 14,000 kilometers of national highways are being constructed at a cost of 5,400 billion rupees, every village is being connected by metalled road, two crore telephones have been installed in last two years as compared to 1.86 crores in the last 50 years and the revolution in the communication and the broadcasting sector.