The government on Monday asserted that there was no move to impose set-top boxes on the cable television users but asked the opposition not to stall the efforts to bring the conditional access system.
"The set-top boxes are not being imposed," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha.
There was no problem "if people are happy with the free-to-air channels," he said.
Prasad said though the task force on CAS after its discussion with the finance ministry had decided that a minimum of 30 channels should be provided for a fee of Rs 72 per month, many cable operators had agreed to provide 60 to 70 free-to-air channels for Rs 72 per month.
He justified the proposed introduction of CAS from September 1 and said the government had not taken the decision in a hurry.
Prasad said the Centre decided on a phased roll-out from September 1 to ensure the adequate availability of set-top boxes, which would be required to access pay channels under the CAS regime and to ensure a smooth implementation.
He said the prices of set-top boxes would come down after the market picked up.
"If you want to bring an industrial revolution...do not stall efforts to bring the CAS," he said.
Prasad was repeatedly interrupted by the opposition members, who said the government was in a hurry to implement the measure.
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