New Delhi: Government has given its "in principle" approval for roll out of conditional access system (CAS) in the whole of Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai and also in 55 other cities of the country.

Official sources told PTI that while the three metros may witness CAS roll out by November this year, it may be introduced in 55 cities by January next year. Currently CAS is applicable only in Chennai, South Delhi, South Mumbai and South Kolkata.

Dates for CAS roll out are expected to be finalised in a meeting between cable industry and state government representatives scheduled for later this month, sources added.

Meanwhile the "in principle" approval was given in a meeting held between Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting (IB) Secretary Asha Swarup and representatives of cable industry, broadcasters and several state government officials earlier this week. Chief secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal were present in the meeting.

Official sources said that the cable industry representatives had last month submitted an action plan to the ministry for roll out of CAS in 55 other cities.

The plan was prepared by Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) and Multi-System Operator (MSO) Alliance on the orders of the IB ministry.

Source : PTI