Broadcasting revolution in offing — Jaitley

He said there was a need to strengthen this aspect of the broadcasting system as the country made technological strides towards digital transmission.

The government would soon complete a draft on a "comprehensive" broadcasting legislation, he said adding that its benefits would be felt in Indian society.

"Government clearly sees itself as facilitator whether it is in benefits of technology or in matters of enacting new laws," he said.

Jaitley said preventing technology from entering the country would mean repeating "the mistake which delayed television by 20 years…. and history will not forgive us."

Y N Chaturvedi, Secretary, I and B, said Direct-to-Home (DTH) television was knocking on the door and in coming years may find its way into the country.

Chaturvedi said digital transmission was also significant as it would enable convergence of computers and television which had manifold advantages.

"Conversion into digital for a country like ours would need an investment of thousands of crores and so complexity of issues need to be thought out carefully," he said.

Prasar Bharati chief executive officer R R Shah informed that the four major metropolitan cities will provide digital transmission by the year end and hoped that by 2012 the entire country will get it.

He suggested that Internet should go through the regulatory domain of broadcasting.

In his keynote address, K Kasturirangan, ISRO chairman, said digitalisation allowed broadcasters to supplement traditional programming with interactive services.

He said ISRO was working with several state governments to set up "Gramsat pilot projects" aimed at reaching the rural audience and providing broadcasting, interactive training and computer connectivity.

Suggesting that private broadcasters join hands with government to assist in setting up a system that reaches out to the lower strata of society, he said said this will also expand market ultimately.