Information and Broadcasting Ministry is awaiting opinion from the Law ministry on what action it should take against the 33 channels of the SunTV group after Home Ministry security clearance to them.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier told the I&B ministry that it can inform the broadcaster, the reasons, as to why the security clearance has been denied in case it wants to issue a show cause notice.
The I&B ministry, sources said, is awaiting legal opinion before it moves ahead.
Pending criminal cases against Kalanithi Maran and his brother and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran, are said to be the reasons for denial of security clearance.
A security clearance is mandatory for companies to operate channels.
"The ministry does not want to take any hasty action," a source said.
Meanwhile, with many applications pending for security clearance, I&B today informed Multi-System Operators (MSOs) that provisional registration can be granted but operators have to undertake shut down operations if MHA declines the security clearance.
The ministry issued a notice today informing MSOs regarding the rules related to provisional registration.
Along with the notice, the ministry had also attached a proforma for an affidavit on its website which states that in the event of denial of security clearance by MHA, the operator will "immediately shut down MSO operation without protest or demur" and shall have no claim whatsoever against the government for any investment.
An official said that such provisions have existed over a long period and the ministry is reiterating them as it could offer provisional registration to MSOs in the coming days.
