Joining issue with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit over the controversial conditional access system, the Centre on Thursday asserted there was no confusion regarding its implementation and sought to allay fears over arbitrary fixation of prices by cable operators.
Reacting to a letter from Dikshit on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shanker Prasad wrote back today taking strong objection to her remarks about Centre's responsibility on CAS implementation.
"I am constrained to say that it would be unwarranted to infer that the government of India is not fully aware of its responsibilities" in the CAS implementation, Prasad said.
He said the multi system operators have been asked to adhere strictly to provisions mandated in its notification of September 8 which provides for the manner of making provisions on rent, security deposit, etc for set top boxes.
As per the notification, the cable operator is supposed to intimate to each subscriber in writing and at least 15 days before the introduction of CAS details of STBs including payment schemes, maintenance facility and warranty period besides which technology -- analog or digital -- is being used for the boxes.
"Regarding the availability of STBs and the terms on which these will be available, I would like to draw your attention to the I&B ministry's notification on September 8 which provides for the manner of making provision on rent, security deposit, etc for STBs," Prasad said.
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