NEW DELHI: The government today referred to a group of ministers (GoM) the various changes being suggested in the uplinking policy.

I&B minister Jaipal Reddy told newspersons after a Cabinet meeting that this decision has been taken as wider debate on various aspects of uplinking is needed.

However, he said that the GoM, yet to be formalised, would be expected to submit its report on the uplink policy within two weeks.

Asked about the aspects of the uplink policy that the I&B ministry had sought to amend, Reddy said that the
following things had been proposed, amongst others:

#Allowing FII investment in news channel ventures in India within the overall foreign cap of 26 per cent.

#Allowing all channels and teleports to uplink to KU-band transponders from India. At the moment only C-band uplinking is allowed and KU-band is reserved for DTH services.

#Making it mandatory for any broadcaster to share on a commercial basis with pubcaster DD the terrestrial feed of any event of national importance, including sports.

According to Reddy, in the Cabinet meeting there was a lack of consensus on the issue of sharing of rights
with DD on a compulsory basis. "It has to be debated and modalities discussed," the minister said.

Keep tuned in for more on the issue.