NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday it approved revisions to the guidelines for the provision of DTH services in the country under which the 20-year license would be issued.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar informed the media of the decision. Previously, the DTH license was issued for a period of 10 years.
The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the revision of the license fee from 10 percent of gross income (GR) to 8 percent of adjusted gross AGR.
“The AGR will be calculated by deducting GST from GR. The license fee will be charged quarterly instead of the current annual one. DTH operators will be allowed to operate up to a maximum of 5 percent of their total channel carrying capacity as allowed platform channels A one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000 per PS channel will be charged to a DTH operator, “according to a government statement.
Javadekar said the change in the guidelines would also allow 100% FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in the DTH sector. So far, 49% FDI has been allowed. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was consulted by the government on the matter, it reported.
The minister also said that the union cabinet approved the merger of the Film Division, Film Festival Directorate, National Film Archives of India and the Children’s Film Society of India with the National Film Development Corporation.
The Union Cabinet also approved a post-matriculation scholarship scheme of Rs 59,000 crore for SC students over 4 crore in five years, the Union minister said. Thawarchand Gehlot.
He also said that central government it will spend Rs 35,534 crore and the rest will be spent by state governments as part of the scholarship scheme.
(With inputs from agencies)
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