Private channels now uplinking from within the country are required to adhere to this code applicable to Doordarshan, but foreign satellite channels uplinking from outside the country do not fall under the ambit of Indian laws as of now, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a written reply.

However, efforts are afoot to bring the requisite amendment to certain provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, to ensure that all channels conform to the code, he said. Naqvi said the code ensures that programmes telecast do not contain any excessive violence or vulgarity which may have an adverse effect on viewers.

Government is also considering suitable modifications in cable law to ensurebetter quality of signals of Doordarshan transmission through cable, Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan said in reply to another question.

He said suitable action regarding quality of content of the programmes is to be taken by Doordarshan and government does not determine matters relating to it.

Mahajan said various technical, administrative and commercial measures to improve the quality of signals through cable are also to be taken up by Doordarshan.

He said there was no proposal to authorise Doordarshan to issue licenses for direct-to-home (DTH) telecast. On revenue earned by Doordarshan, he said it is likely to fall during the current financial year in comparison to that of last year due to fragmentation of viewership and increased competition from satellite channels.

However, the minister informed that All India Radio (AIR) is likely to exceed the amount of revenue earned during the last financial year.

To boost commercial revenue earnings, Doordarshan has taken steps totelecast quality programmes, open more commercial kendras and rationalise advertisement charges, while air is introducing sponsored programmes in different fm metro channels.

Naqvi said government proposes to open more FM radio stations in the country. The FM service earned a revenue of Rs 4,21,96,850 during 1997-98.

Government proposes to upgrade lower power transmitters into high power transmitters in the Ninth Plan, he said.