CAS consumers pay for only the channels that they choose. The system came into effect in parts of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata after a Delhi High Court order in March 2006. It was subsequently expected to expand to other areas of the three metros and in 55 other cities.
But according to industry sources, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) is thinking of shelving expansion of CAS in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata (where CAS was implemented on January 1, 2007) for the time being.
"There has not been any movement from the I&B ministry even after the several rounds of talks we have had with its senior officials. With the present secretary moving out and no announcement of who will replace him, several important issues, including CAS, will take a back seat. We will go back to court in case the ministry plans to postpone expansion of the system without giving proper reasons," said an industry source.
The secretary, Asha Swarup, is expected to move to Himachal Pradesh. The ministry is sitting over several key issues dealing with the media sector, including CAS rollout and policy initiatives on headend-in-the-sky (HITS), IPTV, mobile TV, FDI guidelines and expansion of the third phase of FM radio.
The selective rollout of CAS had faced opposition from certain broadcasters and consumer organisations on various fronts, including the cap of Rs 5 per pay channel imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
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In April, the ministry had given its approval in principle to a detailed rollout plan prepared by the MSO Alliance, the apex body of cable distribution companies. "CAS is not just about cable companies. Its rollout is linked with digitalisation of the cable sector, expansion of direct-to-home platforms, and providing consumers choice. The I&B ministry will have to go back to the Trai with valid reasons if it wishes to shelve it. We have the option of going to courts if we do not get a proper explaination on the matter," said Ashok Mansukhani, president, MSO Alliance.
The MSO Alliance has sought an appointment with senior I&B officials next week, sources say.