Question : PAYMENT OF REVENUE BY FOREIGN T.V. CHANNELS

(a) whether foreign television channel companies in the country are paying a meagre amount of revenue than the Indian television channel companies:

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government have asked the foreign television channel companies to increase the revenue amount;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the response of those companies;

(e) whether a huge amount of Central revenue is outstanding against the foreign television channels;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps being taken by the Government to realise the same?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (d): As informed by Deptt. of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, in terms of the information available in respect of Income Tax paid by satellite channels in India for financial year 2000-2001, the foreign television channel companies have on an average, paid higher amount of Income Tax than their Indian counterparts.
(e) to (g): As informed by Deptt. of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, separate statistics for Direct Taxes outstanding against the foreign television channel companies are not centrally maintained. Whenever any instance of suppression of income by any person (including foreign television channel companies) comes to the knowledge of the Government, appropriate action as provided in the law is taken to prevent loss of revenue to the Government.