Prasar Bharti failed to comply with the directions dated December 15,2008 passed by the Hon’ble TDSAT to restore the carriage of two of Zee Turner channels namely Zee Jagaran and Zee Smile.

This deliberate non-compliance by Prasar Bharti has lead Zee Turner to file a contempt petition against Prasar Bharti and one of its senior officer Mr. F. Saharyar (DDG). Taking a serious note of this, the Hon’ble TDSAT on 23.12.2008 issued show cause notices to Prasar Bharti and its officer and has once again directed them to comply forthwith with the directions to restore carriage of Zee Turner channels. The carriage of these two channels by DD Direct+ on its DTH Platform had been illegally discontinued on 7-9-2008.

It is noteworthy that in the absence of any laid down norms Prasar Bharti has unilaterally and arbitrarily also increased its carriage fees from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 6 million. In fact Zee Turner had already deposited an amount of Rs.1.8 Crores with Prasar Bharti on 11-9-2008 towards carriage fee amount.

The deliberate non-compliance of TDSAT order may have very serious consequences.