TRAI annoyed at I&B min's 'inaction' over its recos

Broadcasting regulator TRAI today expressed annoyance that its advice is often sought by I&B ministry on various issues and then no action is taken over the recommendations.

As it released fresh recommendations on guidelines for TV rating agencies today, TRAI said it is not willing to remain a mute spectator over continued inaction over its suggestions and "may suo moto intervene" in larger public interest.

"I want to be candid about it, this business of saying that ask the authority for recommendations. You take them, nothing happens and then you ask the authority again for recommendations on the same topic, this cannot go on," TRAI chairman Rahul Khullar told reporters here.

"This game cannot continue. There must be some degree of certainty when we make a recommendation, you take action on it, reject the recommendations if you don't like them, fine. They are not bound not to accept it," he added.

TRAI officials said there have been a number of issues on which the regulator's recommendations have been sought, despite no action was taken over the previous recommendations.

A senior official said apart from the issue of TRP rating mechanisms, there had been no action by the government on previous TRAI reports on cross-media ownership and regarding allowing Centre and state governments in the broadcast sector.

However these matters were again sent to TRAI for its recommendations when previous suggestions had not been acted upon, the official added.