Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chief Ram Sewak Sharma has said that non-implementation of the amended tariff regime would lead to chaos and bring discriminatory practices back in the broadcasting sector.
Speaking to Economic Times, TRAI chairman said the new broadcasting framework, that was notified in January earlier this year, will empower consumers to select TV channels of their choice.
However, the framework has been challenged by the broadcasters in the Bombay High Court. So, the HC is currently hearing the final arguments in the matter.
“Non-implementation of January 2020 amendments is jeopardizing the business process, which has been harmonized after 2017 regulatory framework and the delay and uncertainty in the implementation will again bring back non-transparency and discriminatory practices in the sector, wherein industry was full of litigation and there was no choice of channels to consumers,” Sharma said during an interaction with Economic Times.
He declined to further comment on the issue which is sub-judice but asserted that any further delay in the implementation of the amendments would definitely have an adverse impact on consumers.
The court has also asked the telecom regulator to refrain from taking any coercive action until the final judgment is pronounced.
Initially, the court had reserved the order on March 4. However, as the court did not give any interim relief, TRAI directed broadcasters to comply with the amendments to the new tariff order (NTO 2.0) by 10th August.
Although the matter is under consideration of the court, TRAI continues to receive a large number of complaints that consumers are being denied the benefits of the amended regulations by some broadcasters, according to Sharma.
The broadcasting watchdog is also hopeful about the implementation of the long-pending ad-cap matter, as per the news report.
It is to be noted that the ad-cap matter is under a stay from the Delhi HC and the next hearing scheduled for September 27.
The regulator wanted broadcasters to implement 10 minutes of ads and 2 minutes of self-promotions in an hour, following the complaints from consumers.
On the other hand, broadcasters opine that implementation of NTO 2.0 and ad cap will seriously endanger the business viability of the channels in terms of channel pricing and ad revenues.