NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has introduced a ‘Satellite TV Channels Application Tracking System’ (STATS) to bring complete transparency in the entire system of approvals for new channels.

This first-ever initiative allows applicants to get updates on the status of their applications online. Software developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) will enable companies to log on to an especially designed programme to know the status of their applications. The link has been made available on the website of the Ministry, www.mib.nic.in.
 
The applicant companies can log on with their Unique Company Identification Number (CIN) and a password to use the software. Each company can see the information related to the channels for which they have applied. In addition to the status of the channels, companies can also get information regarding the status of their applications, regarding SNG/DSNG vans, change of name, change of logo, change of directors of the company, change in the shareholding pattern, extension of period of operationalisation and licence renewal.

This initiative follows the start of the system introduced a couple of months earlier of Open House meetings on the 5th of every month where applicant companies can participate and get information about the status of their applications. 
 
The Ministry has urged the applicant companies to make full use of the software and actively engage with the Ministry by giving their comments and suggestions for further improvement.

Under the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of private TV notified in 2005, the Ministry has till date permitted 516 private channels. Permissions have also been given to set up 78 teleports.