The government on Thursday amended the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1994, making it mandatory for cable operators to publicise the subscription rates and the periodic intervals at which such subscriptions are payable for receiving of various pay channels provided by them.

This information is to be disseminated by the cable operators either through advertisements in the print or electronic media or through any other means.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Information and Broadcasting Minster, said at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday that the government had decided to amend the Act to pre-empt clubbing of channels by the operators and thereby forcing unwanted channels upon their subscribers.

"We are making sure that the subscribers are not forced to see a channel they do not want to see. There has been a consistent campaign in the media against conditional access system. A sinister campaign has been launched saying that the government will be closely watching you in the CAS regime. I deny these charges vehemently. These are baseless allegations. The government has no intention to monitor what you see and what you do not see," he said.

He said all the television networks would have to announce by June 14 whether they are paid channels or free-to-air channels.

Asked what action does the government propose to take against cable operators who violate the law, Prasad said that and the cable operator can be sent to jail as violation of the Act is a cognizable offence.

"Every cable operator will have to show a minimum of 30 free-to-air channels for Rs 72. We have offers from multi-services operators (MSOs) who say they are prepared to give 70 channels for a fee of Rs 72. We would be happy if some of them show even more channels. We are here to ensure that the interests of the consumers are protected," he said.

He however admitted that the prices charged by the cable operators could very from area to area.

"The subscriber would have the choice of selecting the channels he/she wants to see. The rate of each individual pay channel provided by the cable operator and discounts, if any, offered on subscribing a minimum number of channels would be left to the cable operator rather than to the channels. The price of the pay channels would be decided by the market forces," he said.

He denied that CAS was being introduced with a view to providing Doordarshan with an advantage.

"No, I am not going to give any advantage to Doordarshan. We are creating a level playing field for all the channels and whoever gives the best will be watched. Incidentally, we have 6 million people watching cable television in the four metro cities. We have received enquiries from other cities in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat if the CAS scheme can be extended to those places as well. This is a good development," he said.

Can consumers buy the set-top boxes on their own? "Yes, the consumers can buy the set of boxes themselves. But we have made one provision in the Act: the cable operator would charge you a certain fee for set-top boxes. Once you have paid for the box in installments, it is yours. The cable operator will make provisions for the rental and security deposit, or refund thereof, as well as the warranty, repairs and maintenance, in the manner notified by the government," he said.