Digital Cable broadcasting is mandatory in India

India’s state-level administrators have been told to instruct district magistrates to act against cable operators who are still distributing analogue signals.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says it is permissible to seize of equipment from cable operators defaulting on the country’s mandatory switch to digital cable broadcasting. Section 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act was referenced in the ministry’s letter to all states, which requested that senior officers such as Divisional Commissioner, Revenue Secretary or inspectors general monitored the issue.

Since 1 April, India’s cable television networks should only be carrying digital signals according to the law.

“However for its successful implementation, it is important that regular monitoring is carried out by the authorized officers … to ensure that cable operators carry only digital encrypted signals, follow the provisions in the Act and the Rules framed there under, and prompt action is taken against the defaulters,” the letter says, according to a report by IndianTelevision.com.