MUMBAI: The government has made it mandatory for all cable TV operators to transmit the Sansad Television Network channels.

The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2006 has incorporated section (8) of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 making it compulsory for every cable operator "to re-transmit channels operated by or on behalf of Parliament".

According to an official statement, the Cabinet's decision will enable consumers to view the Parliamentary proceedings and other informative and educative programmes being transmitted by the channels operated by or on behalf of the Parliament of India.

As per the new directive, every cable operator shall, from the commencement of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2000, re-transmit at least two Doordarshan terrestrial channels and one regional language channel of a State in the prime band, in satellite mode on frequencies other than those carrying terrestrial frequencies.

Section 8 also mentions that these channels shall be re-transmitted without any deletion or alteration of any programme transmitted on them.