MUMBAI: Given below is the full text of the letter issued by Telecom Regulatory Authority (Trai) chairman Pradip Baijal to information and broadcasting ministry secretary Pawan Chopra today:

Pradip Baijal
Chairman

DO No: 1-7/2004-B&CS Dated 23/2/2004

Dear Shri Chopra,

After the Government appointed TRAI as the Regulator for the Broadcasting and Cable sector, vide a notification dated 9th January, 2003, the Authority has taken a number of steps to assess the difficulties faced by the consumers, the effects of the implementation of CAS and the problems that arise, including implementation problems and feasibility of conducting legally required activity in this regard. In mid-January, the Authority began a consultation process, obtained comments on relevant matters within that context in writing as well as through its meetings with various stakeholders, examined the views of the four Governments that have to implement CAS, and considered the regulatory practices in other countries. The TRAI has obtained substantial information and views, and is in a position to take the process forward with a more detailed Consultation Paper.

2. The Authority's assessment of the various above-mentioned inputs is that immediate remedial measures need to be taken to properly address the issue of CAS and therefore decide to recommend that the Notification No. SO 792 (E) dated 10th July, 2003 be denotified or kept in abeyance for at least three months and necessary action be taken keeping in view the directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi dated 26.12.2003 in CW 89934/2003.

3. I am forwarding with this letter the interim recommendations of the TRAI on the subject. A Press Note issued in this regard is also enclosed.

4. The recommendations along with the text of this letter have been placed today on the TRAI website (www.trai.gov.in) for public information.

Yours sincerely,

Pradip Baijal

Shri Pawan Chopra
Secretary
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Shastri Bhavan
New Delhi