Srinagar, Mar 24: Following the ban on telecast of “news and views” programmes by the cable operators in Kashmir valley, the government has now barred its officials from participating in any “awareness or developmental” programme telecast by these channels.
As per a circular issued by the District Magistrate (DM), Srinagar, the heads of departments have been asked to “desist” from participating in any kind of panel discussion or awareness programme on the local cable channels, which stand banned by the government.
Pertinently, telecast of “news and views” programmes by the cable operators was banned in the Valley September last year following the summer unrest in which 117 persons were killed police and CRPF action.
While the cable channels discontinued with the news capsules following the ban, however, some of the channels were now airing programmes highlighting various public-specific developmental issues. In these programmes, the government officials, mostly the heads of departments, were usually co-opted to put across the official version.
Through the latest circular by the District Magistrate Srinagar, the government functionaries have now been asked to, immediately, stop participating in any such programme on these channels.
“Telecast of News and Views programmes by cable operators has been banned vide this office order no. DMS/PS-Misc/10/1645-64 Dated: 13-09-2010. It has been reported that some heads of departments are participating in panel discussions on such cable networks which is against the spirit of the order mentioned above,” states the DM’s latest circular, copy of which has been besides all HoDs in the state, also sent to Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
“Now it is enjoined upon all the heads of department to desist from doing so on the channels which have no permission under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act,” the circular reads.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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