NEW DELHI: The Centre has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to take immediate steps to stop the unauthorised broadcast of Pakistani channels in the state.
Concerned over reports that these channels are being broadcast in Jammu and Kashmir without permission, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu sought a compliance report at the earliest from the state chief secretary.
Earlier, Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the state local administration has right to confiscate the equipment of cable operators allegedly airing unauthorised channels.
Commenting on the governments advisory sent to the state, Rathore said such communications are regularly sent by the Centre on unauthorised channels.
We also monitor whenever such news comes up. It is our work to ask for report about such incidents. The action is being taken. It is the responsibility of the local administration to monitor unauthorised channels in their area and they have the right to take action against them.
In Kashmir, the district collector or the authorised government official can confiscate the equipment and take action against cable operators, Rathore said.
Rathore was reacting to reports that over 50 Pakistani channels besides Zakir Naiks banned Peace TV and others indulging in anti-India propaganda were allegedly running without necessary clearances via private cable networks in Kashmir.
If the ban is implemented almost half of the channels available through cable in the Kashmir Valley will be taken off the air.
They include popular Pakistani channels like GEO TV network, Dawn News, Express News, Aaj TV, Ab Tak, ARY Digital Network, PTV and dozens of others.
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