MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has sharply increased the processing fee for TV channels in supersession of an order dated 1 January 2009. Now, national channels will have to cough up Rs 100,000, while regional ones will shell out Rs 50,000.

This fee will apply to broadcaster companies for any alteration, including change of satellite, channel name/logo, language of channel, category of channel, mode of transmission, teleport, teleport location and category change from general entertainment channel to news channel for temporary uplinking of a live event.

Additionally, the same amount will be levied on a per-day basis in case of temporary uplinking of a live event. This order will come in force with immediate effect.

The move is in sharp contrast to the government's stated objective of improving the ease of doing business in the country bereft of complicated documentation.

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