The Indian government has warned distribution platforms, including MSOs and LCOs, non-carriage of  pubcaster Doordarshan and parliament channels will attract penal action against them.

“All Multi-System Operators and Cable Operators are directed to mandatorily carry the notified channels. Any violation in this regard shall invite such actions as are prescribed in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder as well as the terms and conditions stipulated in the Registration Letter of Multi-System Operator,” a note from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said.

As per legislated regulations, distribution platforms in India are mandated to carry on their platforms the notified 25 Doordarshan TV channels, apart from the two parliament channels that also beam live proceedings of the two upper and lower Houses — Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV. 

The July 15 communiqué from MIB, sent to individual distribution platforms and also industry trade body All India Digital Cable Operators’ Federation (AIDCF), said it had been found many MSOs, LCOs were not carrying the mandated TV channels.

The warning comes at a time when the monsoon session of Indian Parliament is scheduled to begin this week.