NEW DELHI: In an apparent bid to make broadcasters/TV channels and teleport operators to follow its diktat on online payments for renewals and renewal fees, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued two notices recently cautioning stakeholders that any breach could result in adverse consequences.
“Non-payment or delayed payments of prescribed annual permission fee tantamount to violation of uplinking/downlinking guidelines and attract action regarding continuation/revocation of permission under the relevant clauses of uplinking and downlinking guidelines 2011,” one of the MIB notices stated, adding it has been observed that a number of broadcasters and teleport operators had not been paying the requisite permission fee.
Directing broadcasters and teleport operators to deposit outstanding dues within 15 days from the issue of the notice, MIB said, cracking the whip, that any failure to do so will attract action under the existing policy guidelines.
“It must also be ensured that the time schedule for payment of required fee, as prescribed in the uplinking and downlinking guidelines 2011, is strictly adhered to. It may also be ensured before making any request to MIB that there are no outstanding against the channel/teleport operators on the date of application,” the notice said.
In another notice, MIB reminded stakeholders about the submission of online applications for change of name or logo or any other issue, apart from foreign remittance proposals.
“It is reiterated that the instructions given in the notice regarding online submission of applications may be strictly adhered to,” the second notice from the government said.
These notices come close on the heels of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, the apex industry body for TV channels in India, petitioning the Prime Minister’s Office on the steep hike by MIB in processing fees and other administrative costs.
MIB, in the past, has maintained that the facility of online payments to the government by stakeholders was introduced to reduce paperwork and make life easy for all.
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