IF IF IF CAS (conditional access system) were to come about in the current form (as planned and hopefully anticipated by the government of India) between July-September this year, there is a very good chance India could also see a change in government.

If marginal increase in the "luxury" tool called telephone has raised such a cry, imagine a jump in cost of viewing quality TV.

Who is the government of India (GOI) trying to fool? Remember we are Indians, not some Yankees that can be fooled by their government.

The reason for GOI to try and introduce CAS has nothing to do with fair business, full declaration and boldly proclaimed :to make TV viewing more affordable to common man!

This is the first time GOI can actually, by law, control our freedom of choice - a constitutional right! GOI can now decide as it wishes as to which channel we'll be able to view; and what they can legislatively ban, for reasons that will be best known to them.

We shall become what I call a SingaState (some of you may know what I mean) - as far as the electronic media is concerned.

Of course, in times when our country faces any external threat of any kind, we shall bless CAS for its ability to now legally block out neighbouring propaganda channels.

Is this not what it is all about Mr. Minister? (here I am not referring to our new and old "DD" ministers - poor things, they know nothing. I mean the home and external affairs ones (not the wives and mistresses either).

CAS in its current form will not only create unfair business advantage, it will also actually jump increase the cost of viewing television. The only cheap form of clean family entertainment a poor country like India enjoys.

A hobby that often keeps the family together (provided you are not watching divorce soaps on one particular channel). A habit that keeps the common Indian man from spending more time at the "auntie's bar". A source of happiness, information and in many ways, enlightenment to cartoonist RK Laxman's "common man" (provided you are intelligent enough not to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer on a "Made in China" channel).

Of course, if GOI really had the citizens at heart, then there could have been 10 more ways to control TV viewing pricing and increase its fiscal collection. A lesson or two maybe worth looking into the early DPCO regulation (some of my young friends will need to ask their learned one what DPCO is). Or so many other genuine ways.

So now, all those who debate and now finally at the 11th hour proclaim to understand & comment, save your voice as no voted politician really wants to give a chance to his "praja" (citizens) to "re-elect" him. What if we dont.

May GOD rest CAS in peace.
(Ahem)

Rohinton B Maloo, MD, Cutting Edge Media
(My personal views in the interest of India)

(The views expressed here are those of the author. www.indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them.)