Digitisation brings benefits to all: I and B Minister
Mumbai, Mar 15 : Digitisation is a major project that will ensure transparency and bring benefits to all in the long run, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari said today.
Addressing the delegates via video-link from New Delhi, Mr Tewari said the digitisation process has been set in motion following a legal remit there is also a social contract which calls upon all stakeholders in this, whether they are broadcasters, MSOs or cable operators to sort out the issues inter-se, because eventually, it needs to be a win-win situation for the broadcasters and the consumers.
Digitisation was a dominant topic of discussion at the media and entertainment industry's mega event FICCI-Frames 2013, with policy makers, industry leaders and experts deliberating on various aspects of the process.
If any section within this large family feels short changed, then obviously there's a cause of concern, Mr Tewari said.
The Minister further stated that the higher import duty levied on Set Top Boxes during the budget will not set back the digitisation process, but instead will give an opportunity for the domestic STB manufacturers to benefit.
"It is important that when such a huge exercise is undertaken, which involves a revenue of about 4 to 5 billion dollars, essentially paid by the people of India and the MSOs, there should be certain tangible benefits which must accrue to Indian manufacturers." he added.
Mr Tewari reiterated the firm backing of the government for the growth of the media and entertainment industry.
Addressing the Valedictory Session of FICCI Frames 2013, Secretary, Information & Broadcasting, Uday Kumar Varma expressed optimism over meeting the the 31st March deadline of digitisation in 38 cities across the country.
India is currently implementing the largest digitisation drive in the world. In the first phase, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai were covered. The March 31, 2013 deadline covers 38 cities with million plus population. Remaining cities are to be digitized by September 30, 2014 and the rest of India by December 31, 2014, he added.