Hyderabad High Court extends date for set top box installation

The judge was dealing with a petition filed by the Federation of Telangana MSOs represented by its president M. Subhash Reddy, challenging a notification issued by the Centre on September 1, 2014, introducing the DAS Cable Network System in Telangana under Phase III with effect from December 31, 2015. C. Ramachandra Raju, counsel for the petitioner, said the Centre had a duty to facilitate full supply of STBs and other software to facilitate digitalisation of cable networks.

He said there was acute shortage of STBs in the market; only 16 per cent of customers had STBs. If the Centre stops transmission of Cable TV signals, it would have an adverse effect on 85 per cent of the people living in the areas covered under Phase III. He argued that the citizen has the fundamental right to receive information on the current issues which affect his life and this cannot be stifled due to the failure of the Centre.

After hearing the petitioner, the judge noticed that no counsel was present from the Centre. While granting the interim order, the judge directed the Centre to file a counter-affidavit and adjourned the case to four weeks. Meanwhile, MSOs from AP moved the High Court seeking extension of time to instal STBs in the areas covered under Phase III notification in the state. The court will hear their plea on Thursday.