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There is also a proposal to amend Section 20 of the Act to include programme or which district should be carried by the operators.

SHRI A.C. JOS (TRICHUR): Who has got the discretion as to which programme to be carried by the operator?

SHRI ARUN JAITLEY: Sir, there is no discretion with regard to a programme. There will be two layers of this. The suggestion is that a cable operator is free to carry any channel, provided that the programmes are complying with the programme code and the advertising code. If there are channels which are violating them, they will not be permitted. For instance, there was a particular channel which offended decency, and which was vulgar, that channel was not permitted. Every channel which is within the parameters of the programme code and the broadcasting code, the cable operator can carry that.

Sir, the views of the hon. Minister should also be presented as objectively and unbiasedly as possible.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL (HOOGLY): Sir, I would like to continue next time.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Let me take the sense of the House. Please take your seat.

There are four hon. Members who want to speak on this Bill and if the House agrees, then the Private Members’ Business can be taken up at 3.30 p.m., so that this Bill can be passed.

SHRI A.C. JOS (TRICHUR): No; it can be done after the Half-an-Hour Discussion..

1500 hrs. MR. CHAIRMAN : At 5.30 p.m., there is Half-an-Hour Discussion. That cannot be postponed.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: If the House agrees, then only we can take it up.

SHRI A.C. JOS : No, Sir. After the Private Members’ Legislative Business, it can be taken up.

THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN): Sir, I want to make a request. The House can take a decision. Either we extend it now or we can continue this discussion after the Half-an-Hour Discussion.

SHRI A.C. JOS : It could be after the Private Members’ Business.

SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN: After that, we can continue.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : No; on another day.

SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN: Why? … (Interruptions) You want Monday to be a holiday. You do not want anything to be completed. … (Interruptions)

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, I would request Shri Rupchand Pal also. It is true that the time allotted for the Private Members’ Business should not be encroached upon. Between 3.00 and 5.30 p.m., many Members will react. We could not transact any Government business today because we referred that matter to some other Committee. After the Half-an-Hour Discussion, if we sit for 30-40 minutes and finalise the Bill, it would be proper. It would also be proper for the Opposition to some extent.