New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) National broadcaster Prasar Bharti Thursday told the Supreme Court that it was not "feasible" for it to set up a separate channel to telecast the live feed of India centric world cup cricket matches being provided to it by Star TV.
It expressed its stand to the bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Prafulla C. Pant as the court reserved its order on the plea by the central government and Prasar Bharti challenging the Feb 4 Delhi High Court order barring Doordarshan from sharing the live feed of the Cup matches with cable operators.
The high court order came 10 days before the World Cup cricket matches being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand began Feb 14.
Appearing for Prasar Bharti, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that the national broadcaster was reaching the people across the length and breadth of the county through 1,400 transmitters which were mostly unmanned, thus it was not feasible to set up a new channel to telecast world cup cricket matches in a short duration.
His contention came in response to a suggestion given by Star TV in the course of the last hearing of the matter.
Rejecting the idea of a new separate channel, Rohatgi told the court: "Why should the people suffer. Everybody should get the opportunity to watch the matches."
Offering technical assistance for set-up type new channel, senior counsel P.Chidambram told that in a similar situation during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Prasar Bharti had set up a new channel in six days time and wondered why it could not do it again.
Pointing out Doordarshan routing its live feed of world cup matches would cost Star TV a loss of Rs. 290 crores, Chidambram told that that this was a dis-incentive for an investor who looks for returns on his investments. He said that private cable operators were being benefitted for no reasons at their expense.
Rohatgi in the course of the last hearing had said that it was "a case of absolute stay and there can be no tinkering" with the statutory provisions by the high court.
He had told the court that by virtue of two statutes - the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 and the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 - it was mandatory for Prasar Bharti to get the live feed of the India-centric matches and that of the semi-final and final of the world cup.
Coronavirus India Update: Big relief from Corona in the country, new cases reached below 20 thousand after 201 days
There is news of great relief from Corona in the country. After about 201 days in the country, new cases of corona have reached below 20 thousand. With this, the deaths due to corona in the country
Jammu-Kashmir: A conspiracy hatched in Pakistan to drop magnetic bombs in J&K, this 'group' used to help terrorists
Terrorist organizations based in Pakistan had maintained a local network of arms and ammunition, including UBGL rounds (under-barrel grenade launchers) and magnetic bombs, for terrorists operating in
Why is Sikander Rakesh Jhunjhunwala of the stock market so special?
On October 5, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, a well-known stock market investor, along with his wife Rekha Jhunjhunwala met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi wrote in a tweet:
86,703 infected and 87,458 recovered in 24 hours; The number of people recovering for the sixth consecutive day more than the infected; 57.30 lakh cases in the country
The country received 86,703 cases of corona infection in 24 hours and recovered 87,458 people. With this, the number of infected has reached 57 lakh 30 thousand 184, while 46 lakh 71 thousand 850
Coronavirus Updates: Corona cases decreased again in the country, with 4129 cases registered in 24 hours; 20 people died
There is a steady decline in the cases of corona in the country. The Health Ministry said that in the last 24 hours, 4,129 new cases of corona infection have been reported. At the same time, 20 people
Misbah urges Pakistan players to think positive
Napier, March 3 (IANS) Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday said the only way Pakistan can achieve success after a wobbly start to the World Cup is by thinking positive.Pakistan have won only one game
Pakistan Army not getting hawk even after ceasefire agreement, LOC is engaged in this tactic
Although peace has prevailed since the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on the LoC, the Pakistani army is not deterring its antics. Under the guise of peace, the Pakistani army is
IND vs ENG Test: After debut, Sarfaraz Khan talked to Musheer on a video call, after watching the video you will also say – Bhai ho to aisa.
Mumbai's explosive batsman Sarfaraz Khan got a chance to wear the jersey of the Indian Test team after a long struggle of 3 years. Sarfaraz Khan made his debut in international cricket brilliantly.
Coronavirus in China: Demand to tighten zero covid policy in China, local media appeals
Just a few days back, the Zero Covid policy was relaxed in China. The local media of China has now appealed to the government to strictly follow the zero covid policy. China's daily newspaper People's
CNG Price Hike: CNG became expensive in many cities of UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan including Delhi, prices increased by Rs 2.5
Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has increased the price of CNG in Delhi by Rs 2.5 per kg to Rs 71.61 per kg from today. In Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, the price of CNG has been reduced to Rs
