NEW DELHI: Action has been taken in 23 instances against television channels for telecasting vulgar/obscene programmes during 2013 and the current year.

Action is taken against TV channels when complaints are received about violation of the Programme and Advertising codes prescribed under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 framed thereunder, Information Broadcasting Ministry sources told radioandmusic.com.

However, there is no provision of pre-censorship of the content telecast by TV channels.

Meanwhile in a case pending in the Delhi High Court, the Minustry has filed an affidavit that the Central Board of Film Certification can issue multiple "certifications" with respect to various versions of a film.

Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw were told that the certificate is issued on the content as and when it is changed while being shown on TV channels.

The submission was in reply to a public interest litigation opposing issuance of universal certificates to an adult movie after deletion of some contents. The petition was also against the practice of conversion of 'A' films into 'U/A' and 'U' to enable their telecast on TV channels.

"Provision of the Cinematograph Act and Rules clearley provide for multiple certifications being issued with respect to various versions of one particular film. Under the Cinematograph Act, the certification is done of the content and when there is change in content, recertification is required and is done," the Ministry said.

The plea was filed by Media Watch-India Vice-President Edara Gopi Chand. It said children and adolescents are exposed to 'adult' film material like drug use, adultery, extramarital affairs, ribald comedy, intimate scenes of romance and sexuality, 'item songs' with vulgar lyrics and dance sequences, scenes involving rape and other heinous acts against women, films with extreme violence, films of horror and thriller genres etc.