NEW DELHI: Even as several multi-system operators (MSOs) have been waiting endlessly for security clearances to ensure they get licences for digital addressable system from the Government, the Home Ministry has now indicated requirement of fresh security clearance before renewal of permission can be considered.
According to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, which has been pursuing the matter with the Home Ministry, the latter has finally decided to examine the application of which the details sent by the MSOs have been forwarded to it.
If found suitable, permission will be granted for renewal for an interim period up to 31 December, 2015 or till the final decision on your application for renewal of permission is taken, whichever is earlier.
However, MSOs have been asked to furnish an affidavit to the effect that the company will abide by all the provisions of the latest Uplinking/ Downlinking Guidelines and other relevant instructions and modifications issued from time to time.
All applicant MSOs have been asked to send the information to the I&B Ministry along with supporting documents at the earliest within 15 days to enable us to proceed further in the matter.
They may also enclose the details of Board of Directors (BOD) and latest Share Holding Pattern (SHP) including FDI component, if any, duly accompanied by requisite approval of the Foreign Investments Promotion Board (FIPB).
The companies may also ensure submission of the annual renewal fee for both Uplinking and Downlinking at rates as applicable as per Guidelines and for the period that may be due.
I&B Secretary Bimal Julka had earlier told Indiantelevision.com that he had sent a fresh reminder to the Home Ministry and also sought a meeting with concerned officials in this regard in view of the large number of applications pending.
Major players whose applications are pending for lack of Home Ministry Security clearance include Reliance Jio Media Pvt Ltd, CAT Vision Pvt Ltd, Signum Digital Network Pvt Ltd, Digirevo Networks, Goldy Dishnet Pvt. Ltd., Citv Television Network, Sri Udav Satvision and General Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
