NEW DELHI: The information & broadcasting ministry has cleared Doordarshan's direct-to-home (DTH) plan.

However, since the projected cost of DD's DTH foray is pegged at Rs 1.65 billion, it has to go before the Cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) for final clearance.

The plan involves an initial rollout in non-cable connected areas which will be later extended to cover the whole of the country and offer pay channels as well, I&B ministry sources say.

DD's entry into DTH comes almost four years (June 1999) after Prasar Bharati first applied for a licence to be allowed to start DTH to the I&B ministry.

The only other serious player in the DTH arena at present is Subhash Chandra's Zee Group. Star India, whose application through shell company Space TV is lying with the I&B ministry, does not look to be in any position to get into the act at the moment. It has to get the Star News issue cleared up first.