(3 April 2008 12:30 pm)

NEW DELHI: The meeting called by the ministry of information and broadcasting on the issue of Cas extension has been postponed to 8 April at the last moment for reasons that include ‘further internal consultations’ in the ministry as well as a Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) meet on foreign direct investment (FDI) to be held in Mumbai.

The Trai meeting had been slotted long ago for 4 April, but the MIB had set the same date for the crucial Cas extension meeting.

Sources say that there is insistence from the Union Cabinet for FDI consultation to conclude soon and the Cabinet is pushing for a uniform cap of 74 per cent.

A Cabinet Note, it is learnt, is being fast tracked on raising the cap. Trai has to end its consultations and stakeholder meetings at the earliest and tell the government what stakeholders want.

The unavailability of Trai officials as well as vital players for the MIB meeting for 4 April is what finally dissuaded the ministry from going ahead. The meeting has now been postponed to 8 April, sources say.