1. A Consultation Paper for Extension of DTH License
In the year 2001, guidelines for obtaining license for providing DTH services in India were issued. These guidelines provided for a license period of ten years for DTH service provider however, it is silent on the course of action for renewal of license beyond the period of 10 years. TRAI is now seeking recommendations for terms and conditions to extend this license beyond the license period of 10 years. The key issues for deliberation are entry fees, bank guarantee and license period. The issue under consideration is determination of the entry fee for the extended license period either it should be maintained at Rs. 10 crores or should be a modified fees. Further, TRAI is seeking opinion regarding the optimum period for which the extension of license for DTH service should be granted. Lastly, the question of bank guarantee cover for the extended period of license, is also under contemplation. For the benefit of the consumers, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for time being have renewed the license for an interim period subject to compliances to be done by the companies regarding renewal of bank guarantee, honouring final policy and financial obligations under the new policy.
PSA view - The entry fee is important aspect for extension of DTH license whether it should be maintained or modified would impact the serious players in the area of DTH services. With regard to the period of renewal of license neither it should be too short to deter investors including foreign investors to enter the market of DTH services as well as prevent growth of technology nor it should be too long from a perspective of optimum policy period. The bank guarantee is a performance guarantee from the companies and ideally it should ensure the cover for entire license period. Since the deadline to receive comments from interested parties is already closed down, the companies now await the final guidelines to come out in this matter to decide their course of action.
2. SC held that Aadhaar card not mandatory for social benefits
The SC passed an order on September 23, 2013 that the government should not restrict social benefits to those who are yet to receive their Aadhaar card and not to issue the card to illegal migrants. This order was the outcome of a PIL filed by Karnataka High Court judge KS Puttaswamy. The PIL claimed that several state governments have linked social benefits to Aadhaar which has resulted in denial of benefits to several people. The UID was violating Article 21, "Protection of life and personal liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law." The PIL further claimed that the Aadhaar card is being distributed to everyone indiscriminately, including illegal migrants, posing a security risk to the nation.
PSA view - The Aadhaar card proposes to eliminate the prospect of receiving of subsidy benefit by undeserving. However, as the number of people to whom cards have been issued is still less, linking them with such policies is against the very purpose of Aadhaar. Further, for making the card, government is collecting finger prints and iris scan but has so far provided no means to protect such crucial identification marks. Government has not accepted any liability if this data is compromised nor provided any solution to such problems if they arise.
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