The Modi government has revamped the broadcasting sector rules by extending the security clearance for companies from the existing three years to 10 years.
Putting emphasis on its ambitious 'Ease of doing Business in India' drive, the Modi government has revamped the broadcasting sector rules by extending the security clearance for companies from the existing three years to 10 years.
“The broadcasters will not have to go through the inconvenience of going through the vetting process till the end of 10 years from the date of initial grant of clearance,” informed sources said.
It would be valid for companies involved in uplinking and downlinking of TV channels, community radio stations, multi system operators and teleport.
However, in the wake of change in the board of directors or change in ownership, the company will have to seek the fresh security clearance.
The process has been eased further by extending automatic security clearance to other proposals of an entity cleared by the Union Home Ministry, if it operates within the same sector. Earlier, a separate security clearance was required, making the whole process lengthy for the broadcasters.
The move, however, follows from the UPA government’s tenure when the Ministry of Informational & Broadcasting had requested the Union Home Ministry that in the event of the launch of a fresh channel by an existing company, the clearance should be extended and must be made co-terminus with the parent company’s clearance as the whole process takes a long time and may adversely impact the broadcast business in the country.
A fresh security licence will be required only in case the owner of a community radio station wants to expand the radio service license to the border and Naxal affected areas.
Moreover, security clearances granted in one sector of Information and Broadcasting will not be valid for other sectors. “For example security clearance granted to a company running Uplinking/Downlinking of TV channel is not automatically valid for Community Radio Station or Teleport or vice-a- versa,” sources said.
As a caution, the Union Home Ministry has advised the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to obtain an annual undertaking from the company and its directors certifying that they are not involved in anti-national and criminal activities.
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