The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on January 17, 2025, issued the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2025 to further amend the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.
The following amendments have been stated:
For rule 3, the following rule shall be substituted, namely: -
“3. Application for registration as a local cable operator in India. - (1) Every application for registration as a local cable operator shall be made online and may be renewed after every five years.
(2) The application for registration or renewal of registration shall be made online to the registering authority in Form 1.
(3) Every application for registration or renewal of registration shall be accompanied by-
(i) a processing fee of rupees five thousand only ; and
(ii) the requisite documents mentioned in Form 1; and,
(iii) declaration in Form 2.
(4) The processing fee for registration or renewal of registration shall be paid as per the option provided in the designated portal.
(5) The application for renewal of registration by a cable operator under rule 5 shall be made at least ninety days before the expiry of registration.
Provided that the registering authority may condone the delay after considering the reasons furnished by the applicant, if such application is made before the expiry of registration.”.
• For rule 5, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:
“5. Registration of local cable operator: - (1) On receipt of application for registration or renewal of registration as the case may be for local cable operator, complete in all respects, certified by the applicant and verified in an automated manner, the registering authority, may –
(a) if deemed necessary, undertake further verification on specific applications, selected on predetermined criteria to ensure that the applicant fulfils eligibility criteria under rule 2A and the requirements of rule 3; and
(b) subject to the requirements of rule 3 and terms and conditions specified in rule 5A, issue certificate of registration or renewal of registration, as the case may be, in Form 3.
(2) Where the registering authority is satisfied that registration or renewal of registration cannot be granted, it shall inform the applicant of the reasons for such refusal.
(3) The applicant may file an appeal to the Central Government as referred to in second proviso to sub-section (5) of section 4 of the Act against the refusal of grant or renewal of registration online within a period of thirty days of receipt of communication of such refusal.
(4) The registration granted to local cable operators shall be valid throughout the territory of India.”
• In rule 11C, after sub-rule (2), the following proviso shall be inserted namely:
“Provided that the applicant may prefer an appeal against the order of the registering authority refusing grant or renewal of registration, to the Central Government within a period of thirty days of receipt of communication of such refusal.”
They shall come into force on January 17, 2025.
[Notification No. G.S.R. 65 (E)]
