The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting&nbsp;has&nbsp;withdrawn the new draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024,&nbsp;after criticism that the government was trying to exert greater control over online content. The draft raised several questions on freedom of speech and expression, and the government’s powers to regulate it.

The new draft of the Broadcast Service Bill, 2024, was introduced but&nbsp;faced criticism as concerns were raised about the government's potential abuse of power.

Last month, the bill was not shared in the public&nbsp;domain but was instead sent to certain stakeholders for suggestions and opinions. Later, stakeholders were advised to return the draft&nbsp;without any suggestions.

“A senior government officer and the two industry executives have confirmed&nbsp;that the ministry asked the stakeholders to return the new broadcast draft,” said sources as per an Indian&nbsp;Express report.

The ministry posted a statement on X, referring to an earlier draft bill placed in public domain in November 2023, and said it “is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders” and is offering them “further additional time” till October 15 for their comments. “A fresh draft will be published after detailed consultations,” it said.

"In response, multiple recommendations/ comments/ suggestions were received, including from various Associations. Ministry is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders on the draft bill," the statement said.&nbsp;

Additional time is being provided to solicit comments and suggestions till October 15, and a&nbsp;fresh draft will be published after detailed consultations, the ministry said.

The draft included policies aimed at reshaping the entire broadcasting sector. The provisions suggested actions concerning OTT platforms and social media sites, including YouTube, Instagram, and even X. It proposed that creators and influencers who exceed&nbsp;a certain level of viewership would be required to pre-certify their content through a content evaluation committee.&nbsp;

The new version also defined&nbsp;a “digital news broadcaster” in sweeping terms, and required prior registration with the government. 
 
There was confusion about whether the same policies would be applicable to non-news online content creators. According to the draft, such creators are included in the same category as OTT broadcasters.&nbsp;

Failure to meet the content evaluation committee requirements can result in a maximum penalty of up to Rs 50 crore for the violation of any provision, including damage to publishing and broadcast media infrastructure. It also includes provisions relating to advisory, warning, and censorship. 
 
It will become necessary for any broadcaster or broadcasting network to appoint a self-regulating body, the CEC, which has the power to impose fines up to Rs 5 lakh. The government also has the right to form a broadcast advisory council for the inspection of broadcasting networks to ensure they follow the provisions of the bill.

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has withdrawn the new draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, after criticism that the government was trying to exert greater control over online content.

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has withdrawn the new draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, after criticism that the government was trying to exert greater control over online content. The draft raised several questions on freedom of speech and expression, and the government’s powers to regulate it. The new draft of the Broadcast Service Bill, 2024, was introduced but faced criticism as concerns were raised about the government's potential abuse of power. Last month, the bill was not shared in the public domain but was instead sent to certain stakeholders for suggestions and opinions. Later, stakeholders were advised to return the draft without any suggestions. “A senior government officer and the two industry executives have confirmed that the ministry asked the stakeholders to return the new broadcast draft,” said sources as per an Indian Express report. The ministry posted a statement on X, referring to an earlier draft bill placed in public domain in November 2023, and said it “is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders” and is offering them “further additional time” till October 15 for their comments. “A fresh draft will be published after detailed consultations,” it said. "In response, multiple recommendations/ comments/ suggestions were received, including from various Associations. Ministry is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders on the draft bill," the statement said. Additional time is being provided to solicit comments and suggestions till October 15, and a fresh draft will be published after detailed consultations, the ministry said. The draft included policies aimed at reshaping the entire broadcasting sector. The provisions suggested actions concerning OTT platforms and social media sites, including YouTube, Instagram, and even X. It proposed that creators and influencers who exceed a certain level of viewership would be required to pre-certify their content through a content evaluation committee. The new version also defined a “digital news broadcaster” in sweeping terms, and required prior registration with the government. There was confusion about whether the same policies would be applicable to non-news online content creators. According to the draft, such creators are included in the same category as OTT broadcasters. Failure to meet the content evaluation committee requirements can result in a maximum penalty of up to Rs 50 crore for the violation of any provision, including damage to publishing and broadcast media infrastructure. It also includes provisions relating to advisory, warning, and censorship. It will become necessary for any broadcaster or broadcasting network to appoint a self-regulating body, the CEC, which has the power to impose fines up to Rs 5 lakh. The government also has the right to form a broadcast advisory council for the inspection of broadcasting networks to ensure they follow the provisions of the bill.

Govt withdraws new draft of broadcast bill, to publish it afresh with revised provisions

Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming of Faizabad district as Ayodhya, the Gujarat government Tuesday said it was keen on rechristening Ahmedabad as Karnavati, if there were no legal hurdles.

Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was willing to change Ahmedabad's name if it gets past the legal hurdles and receives required support.

"People are still having a feeling that Ahmedabad should be renamed as Karnavati. If we get required support to overcome the legal hurdles, we are always ready to change the name of the city," Patel told reporters when asked if the state government had a plan to rename India's only city having the 'World Heritage' tag.

Historically, the area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval.&nbsp;

Chaulukya ruler Karna of Anhilwara (modern Patan) had waged a successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati river.

Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D. Had laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after the four saints in the area by the name Ahmed.

"We can think of changing the name at an appropriate time," Patel added.

Slamming the BJP government over the issue, state unit Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said the promise to rename Ahmedabad was just another "poll gimmick" by the ruling party.

"For the BJP, issues like construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati are the means to get votes of Hindus," said Doshi.

"BJP leaders dump such issues after coming to power. They only cheated Hindus all these years," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the eve of Diwali announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya.

"Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)," Adityanath said in Ayodhya.

The BJP government in the northern state had already renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj.&nbsp;

Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming of Faizabad district as Ayodhya, the Gujarat government Tuesday said it was keen on rechristening Ahmedabad as Karnavati, if there were no legal hurdles.

Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming of Faizabad district as Ayodhya, the Gujarat government Tuesday said it was keen on rechristening Ahmedabad as Karnavati, if there were no legal hurdles. Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was willing to change Ahmedabad's name if it gets past the legal hurdles and receives required support. "People are still having a feeling that Ahmedabad should be renamed as Karnavati. If we get required support to overcome the legal hurdles, we are always ready to change the name of the city," Patel told reporters when asked if the state government had a plan to rename India's only city having the 'World Heritage' tag. Historically, the area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval. Chaulukya ruler Karna of Anhilwara (modern Patan) had waged a successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati river. Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D. Had laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after the four saints in the area by the name Ahmed. "We can think of changing the name at an appropriate time," Patel added. Slamming the BJP government over the issue, state unit Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said the promise to rename Ahmedabad was just another "poll gimmick" by the ruling party. "For the BJP, issues like construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati are the means to get votes of Hindus," said Doshi. "BJP leaders dump such issues after coming to power. They only cheated Hindus all these years," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the eve of Diwali announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya. "Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)," Adityanath said in Ayodhya. The BJP government in the northern state had already renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj.

Now, Gujarat govt says it want to rename Ahmedabad to Karnavati

The two-day nationwide strike by employees of public sector banks (PSBs) may affect customer transactions worth up to Rs 20,000 crore, industry body Assocham said today, urging the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to call off the strike. 
 
The chamber also urged the government to come up with a stimulus plan for restoring the health of public sector banks. 
 
State-owned lenders are grappling with high levels of bad loans and as per reports their losses for the quarter ended March 2018 are set to hit a record Rs 50,000 crore which is more than double the losses of Rs 19,000 crore in preceding quarter ended December 2017, Assocham said in a statement. 
 
"Considering such a precarious situation, we at Assocham would urge the government to come up with a stimulus plan which must include restoring the PSBs to health," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said. 
 
"With about 10 lakh bank employees going on strike, banking operations such as cheque clearances, cash withdrawals and deposits at PSB branches across India will be affected," he added. 
 
The UFBU, an umbrella body of nine bank unions, has gone on strike against the proposed wage hike of 2 per cent as against 15 per cent given last time, All India Bank Employees Association general secretary C H Venkatachalam said. 
 
Consequently, banking activities in public sector banks across the country have been interrupted. 
 
However, operations in the new-generation private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank were almost normal, barring few activities including cheque clearance. 
 
Since the strike coincides with the month-end, salary withdrawals from branches are likely to get affected. Some ATMs may also take a hit. 
Besides, deposit in branches, FD renewal, government treasury operation, money market operation would see the impact of the strike.

The chamber also urged the government to come up with a stimulus plan for restoring the health of public sector banks

The two-day nationwide strike by employees of public sector banks (PSBs) may affect customer transactions worth up to Rs 20,000 crore, industry body Assocham said today, urging the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to call off the strike. The chamber also urged the government to come up with a stimulus plan for restoring the health of public sector banks. State-owned lenders are grappling with high levels of bad loans and as per reports their losses for the quarter ended March 2018 are set to hit a record Rs 50,000 crore which is more than double the losses of Rs 19,000 crore in preceding quarter ended December 2017, Assocham said in a statement. "Considering such a precarious situation, we at Assocham would urge the government to come up with a stimulus plan which must include restoring the PSBs to health," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said. "With about 10 lakh bank employees going on strike, banking operations such as cheque clearances, cash withdrawals and deposits at PSB branches across India will be affected," he added. The UFBU, an umbrella body of nine bank unions, has gone on strike against the proposed wage hike of 2 per cent as against 15 per cent given last time, All India Bank Employees Association general secretary C H Venkatachalam said. Consequently, banking activities in public sector banks across the country have been interrupted. However, operations in the new-generation private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank were almost normal, barring few activities including cheque clearance. Since the strike coincides with the month-end, salary withdrawals from branches are likely to get affected. Some ATMs may also take a hit. Besides, deposit in branches, FD renewal, government treasury operation, money market operation would see the impact of the strike.

Bank strike may hit transactions worth Rs 20k crore: Assocham

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