| MUMBAI:
The information and broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said on Wednesday
that the issue of hiking foreign investment limit in many segments of the broadcasting
sector will be taken up in an inter-ministerial meeting. Replying
to a query by Indiantelevision.com, Dasmunsi said: “I will be putting
up my views in that meeting.” The
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recently submitted its recommendations
on the issue, seeking a sweeping hike in cable TV networks to 74 per cent and
news channels and FM radio to 49 per cent. This is in contrast to the government’s
proposal which wanted the cap on cable TV and news channels to stay at 49 per
cent. In the FM radio sector, the government had proposed a marginal hike from
20 per cent to 24 per cent.
Regarding
Cas (conditional access system) extension, Dasmunsi said the recommendations had
just arrived. Commenting
on the need for a new TV ratings system, Dasmunsi said the ministry would call
for a meeting with all the stakeholders next month. Dasmunsi
was in Mumbai to launch Idea Cellular’s music video Jai Hind in association
with Arts and Artistes. Prasar Bharati has extended its support to this initiative. | 
