The Jammu & Kashmir Government has issued directions to all Deputy Commissioners to take “urgent and necessary action” in transmission of non-permitted TV channels by cable operators in the State.
The Home Department has issued an order No PS/Home/ 2017-60, dated May 6, 2017, in which it has directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that urgent and necessary action is taken in accordance with the Cable TV Networks Regulation Rules and compliance report submitted to the Home Department.
“It has been reported that cable operators in the Valley have been transmitting certain TV channels which are not permitted by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The transmission of these channels have the potential to encourage or incite violence and create law and order disturbances in Kashmir Valley," the order reads.
"It needs being noted that transmission of non-permitted TV channels apart from attracting the violation (of the law), has the potential to encourage or incite violence and create law and order disturbances in Kashmir Valley,” said an order issued on Saurday by Principal Secretary, Home Department, RK Goyal to all the district magistrates (deputy commissioners) of the State.
Goyal asked the Deputy Commissioners to clarify as to what action has been taken in regard to media reports that certain cable operators were transmitting such non-permitted channels and also directed them to take urgent necessary action.
"In the circumstances, it is impressed upon you to ensure that urgent necessary action is taken in accordance with provisions of law,” the order reads.
He said the transmission of non-permitted TV channels by the cable operators attracts violation of the Cable TV Networks Regulation Rules.
On Friday, Union Information & Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu spoke with the state chief secretary over the issue and sought a compliance report at the earliest. He expressed concern over reports that these channels were being broadcast in Jammu and Kashmir without permission.
The State Home Department, which is headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has listed 34 such channels belonging to Pakistan and Saudi
Arabia including Zakir Naik’s banned Peace TV. Among the 34 channels listed in the order include PTV Sports, ARY Zindagi, Noor TV and Karbala TV.
The channels are Peace TV Urdu and English, ARY QTV, Madni Channel, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Paigam, Hidayat, Saudi Al- Sunnah Al-Nabawiyah, Saudi-Al-Quran Al-Karim, Sehar, Karbala TV, Ahli-biat TV, Message TV, Hum TV, ARY Digital Asia, Hum Sitaray, ARY Zindagi, PTV Sports, ARY Musik, TV One, ARY Masala, ARY Zauq, A TV, Geo News, ARY News Asia, Abb Takk News, Waseb TV, 92 News, Duniya News, Samna News, Geo Tez, Express News and ARY News.