Talebearer

Tam in the dock

The I&B Ministry, we hear, is busy these days lobbying with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to rework the TV audience measurement system (conducted by TAM). TRAI is already preparing a white paper on the issue at the request of the ministry, which claims the existing system does not reflect state broadcaster Doordarshan’s immense reach.

Many are likely to see this move by the ministry as a way to “politicise” audience metrics. Expect plenty of verbal battles over the next few weeks.

— Kushan Mitra

Banking on consolidation?

Recently, RBI Deputy Governor, V. Leeladhar, spoke at a public function about financial sector consolidation. Tucked away towards the end of the speech was a comment on consolidation of public sector banks.

He said it “is work in progress. There are enabling legal provisions in the statutes of the banks”. Now, was he egging PSU banks to push the envelope? After all, he added that the “RBI as regulator and supervisor would continue to be supportive”.

— Shalini S. Dagar