New Delhi: Media Content and Communications Services' application for uplinking Star News channel from India has been cleared by the Department of Space but is awaiting Home Ministry nod, Rajya Sabha has been informed.

"The proposal of MCCS for uplinking Star News channel from India is under examination.....clearance from the Department of Space has been received and from Ministry of Home Affairs is awaited," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply. He said an inter-ministerial group comprising representatives from the Ministries of Law, Finance and I&B has been constituted to examine all aspects of this proposal.

However, the minister clarified that the company's proposal for Direct to Home (DTH) services is still under examination on being asked whether Star had been granted the DTH licence.

In reply to another query, he replied in the negative on whether there was any proposal to constitute a Media Commission to look into relations among the Press, radio, television and their owners.

Asked whether government proposed to ban advertisements on pay channels, the minister said no such proposal was under consideration.

On what steps are being taken to redefine ad revenue rule for pay channels, he said "government is keeping a close watch on the situation relating to this issue and will take appropriate action as and when required".

PTI