New Delhi, July 23: Congress member Eduardo Faleiro today said that there is an urgent need for government to set up a regulatory body for the broadcasting industry which would not only bring transparency but also ensure strict compliance with Indian rules, regulations and guidelines. Making a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, he said that in the absence of a regulatory body, a number of channels were not adhering to the Indian uplinking guidelines.

"A glaring example is the recent application for uplinking by a foreign group which is floating shell companies to overcome the foreign equity holding guidelines," he said. Stating that a regulatory body would create a level playing field for Indian broadcasters, he added it would ensure that all foreign channels are under the ambit of the Indian laws, including those on broadcasting and taxation, and all channels adhere to a common set of guidelines.

There should be no discrimination between Indian and foreign broadcasters, he said adding government should not allow foreign companies with vested interests to take over the broadcasting industry in the country. Bureau Report