Monday, November 28 2005 14:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government is contemplating a comprehensive law to check violation of Programme and Advertising Code by TV channels and an inter-ministerial committee was looking into the matter so that it could be ready before the Budget Session of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha was informed today (Nov 28, 2005).

Responding to a volley of supplementaries during Question Hour, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said action was being taken against channels violating codes from time to time.

"Now, through down-linking guidelines, adherence to these codes has also been made obligatory on all channels up-linking from abroad and down-linked into India and violation of conditions will invite further action," he said.

The Minister said a serious thought was being given to merge the Indian Broadcasting Bill and the Convergence Bill into one legislation. Such a measure is intended to cover IT, broadcasting and telecom sectors.

"Talks in this regard are on and the House will be informed accordingly," he said.

Admitting that existing mechanisms were 'not sufficient,' Dasmunsi said there was a need to have consultations with channels as there was no definite mechanism to exercise control over TV serials either on DD or private channels.

He said a meeting of cable operators will be held soon to frame a new policy so that consumers were not forced to view only those channels which the operators wanted them to see.

Supporting members' demand, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat favoured a debate on the 'very important issue.'