The India government has directed that Sansad TV (Parliament TV), created after the merger of Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV (the dedicated TV channels for the two houses of parliament), should be carried by distribution platforms on a mandatory basis.

In India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has a list of channels that are to be mandatorily carried by DTH platforms, MSOs and LCOs on their networks and include most of pubcaster Doordarshan’s channels.

A communication put out by the MIB stated: “All MSOs and Cable operators are advised to carry the mandatory channels  (Sansad TV SD and Sansad TV HD) appropriately in respective genre(s) on their cable TV Networks. Any violation of Section 8 of the Cable Act shall invite such action as provided in the Cable TV Act and the Rules framed thereunder.”

Sansad TV was inaugurated on September 15 in the presence of India’s Vice-President and  Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Speaker of Lok Sabha (Lower House) Om Birla.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi had said, “…the country is getting such a medium of communication and dialogue in the form of Sansad TV, which will serve as the new voice of the country’s democracy and people’s representatives.”

Pointing out that the role of media and TV channels is changing quickly, the Prime Minister had said, “The 21st century is bringing a revolution, especially through communication and dialogue. In such a situation, it becomes natural that the channels associated with our Parliament should also transform themselves according to these modern systems.

“I am happy that…a new beginning is being made in the form of Sansad TV. I have also been told that Sansad TV in its new avatar will also be available on social media and OTT platforms, and will also have its own app. With this, our parliamentary dialogue will not only be connected with modern technology, but it will also increase its reach to the common man.”