New Delhi: Government said today (Dec 8, 2003) it has not shelved the Conditional Access System (CAS) and no instance of exploitation by cable operators because of absence of any clear-cut directions on the issue has come to its notice.

Information and Broadcasting Minister replied in the negative to a question in Rajya Sabha by Rajkumar Dhoot on whether the government had shelved CAS.

On whether it was aware that in the absence of any clear-cut directions, the cable operators were exploiting consumers, Prasad said in written reply "no such instance of exploitation has come to the notice of the Government".

However, "adequate safeguards" have been provided under the Cable Television Act", the Minister added.

To Nilotpal Basu's query on whether set top boxes (STB) have been introduced in Chennai, Prasad said 12,000 boxes are estimated to have been either sold or rented in that city.

"Consumers in Chennai appear to be satisfied with the free-to-air (FTA) channels at a cost of Rs 72 (plus taxes) being presently received for which no STB is required. Moreover, some popular pay channels have switched over to FTA category in Chennai," the Minister added.

When asked if Government was considering setting up a broadcasting regulatory authority, he replied in the affirmative but "no precise time frame can be indicated at this juncture".

PTI