KATHMANDU, Nov 21: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a government decision to ban the distribution of analog-based cable television. The government had earlier given the analog-based cable television operators until November 15 to digitize their systems. 

The Supreme Court order came in response to a writ petition that challenged the ban arguing that it violated the people's right to information enshrined in the constitution. A single bench of Justice Bam Kumar Shrestha issued the order following Monday's hearing. The bench also directed the authorities -- the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Department of Communications -- to attend a hearing on December 1 to discuss whether or not to extend Monday's stay order. 

The petitioners had accused the authorities of illegally seizing communication equipment from various cable operators. The petitioners claimed that the authorities colluded with foreign cable operators to ban analog-based cable television and forced customers to go digital.

 
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