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BANGALORE: Provisions in the Cable TV Act, 2011, are explicit on the issue of overcharging by cable TV operators providing a Basic Service Tariff (BST) of `100 per month for 100 free-to-air channels of all genres.
In fact, the onus of regulating the high tariff charged by cable TV operators rests on the respective governments through district magistrates or their nominees.
States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have effectively implemented the Act and have taken action against erring operators while Karnataka has been literally sleeping over it.
On the state government’s plan to enter the cable television network services to regulate prices, sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told Express that the move would be ‘suicidal.’
“Yes, it is business. And it (government) has no right to be involved in commercial business. It should not follow Tamil Nadu’s example which is operating without a licence.”
According to industry experts, cable TV is a commercial service and not a life support system like Anna Bhagya scheme.
“It (government) is supposed to be an umpire and not a player. If the operators are not following the law, it is the responsibility of the government to take action against them according to the law. Rather than getting into the misadventure, Karnataka government should get its act right and enforce the Act in letter and spirit. The government is supposed to keep a watch on the industry and conduct weekly meetings with stakeholders but till date, nothing has been done as they are not even aware of the provisions of the Act.”
Act to Straighten Offenders
The Cable TV Act, 2011(amended), considers issues of over pricing, improper receipt for subscription, evasion of service and entertainment tax and bad quality of service among others to bring transparency in distribution. Section 4(A) of the Act makes it obligatory for cable operators to transmit in encrypted form through DAS (Digital Addressable System), while an authorised officer can seize the equipment if an operator is not following this. Contravention of the Act is punishable (Section 16) and the culprit is liable for imprisonment up to two years or/with fine up to `1,000 for the first offence and five years imprisonment or/with fine up to `5,000 for subsequent offences.
Cable operators oppose move
Bangalore: Information Minister Roshan Baig on Tuesday said he held a meeting with representatives of the Karnataka Cable Network Operators’ Association to elicit opinion on the government running the cable service. There was opposition from the association members, but they were told that they do not have accountability or fixed monthly rent, he said. “I told them that the government is ready to offer cable television service to consumers at a monthly rent of `100,” he said. The minister said the meeting was inconclusive and another round of discussion would be held with the association representatives. The government is not trying to snatch the livelihood of thousands of families depending upon cable TV business, but it wants to streamline the system, he added.
Cable TV Act Has Teeth to Regulate Tariff in State -The New Indian Express
..
In fact, the onus of regulating the high tariff charged by cable TV operators rests on the respective governments through district magistrates or their nominees.
States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have effectively implemented the Act and have taken action against erring operators while Karnataka has been literally sleeping over it.
On the state government’s plan to enter the cable television network services to regulate prices, sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told Express that the move would be ‘suicidal.’
“Yes, it is business. And it (government) has no right to be involved in commercial business. It should not follow Tamil Nadu’s example which is operating without a licence.”
According to industry experts, cable TV is a commercial service and not a life support system like Anna Bhagya scheme.
“It (government) is supposed to be an umpire and not a player. If the operators are not following the law, it is the responsibility of the government to take action against them according to the law. Rather than getting into the misadventure, Karnataka government should get its act right and enforce the Act in letter and spirit. The government is supposed to keep a watch on the industry and conduct weekly meetings with stakeholders but till date, nothing has been done as they are not even aware of the provisions of the Act.”
Act to Straighten Offenders
The Cable TV Act, 2011(amended), considers issues of over pricing, improper receipt for subscription, evasion of service and entertainment tax and bad quality of service among others to bring transparency in distribution. Section 4(A) of the Act makes it obligatory for cable operators to transmit in encrypted form through DAS (Digital Addressable System), while an authorised officer can seize the equipment if an operator is not following this. Contravention of the Act is punishable (Section 16) and the culprit is liable for imprisonment up to two years or/with fine up to `1,000 for the first offence and five years imprisonment or/with fine up to `5,000 for subsequent offences.
Cable operators oppose move
Bangalore: Information Minister Roshan Baig on Tuesday said he held a meeting with representatives of the Karnataka Cable Network Operators’ Association to elicit opinion on the government running the cable service. There was opposition from the association members, but they were told that they do not have accountability or fixed monthly rent, he said. “I told them that the government is ready to offer cable television service to consumers at a monthly rent of `100,” he said. The minister said the meeting was inconclusive and another round of discussion would be held with the association representatives. The government is not trying to snatch the livelihood of thousands of families depending upon cable TV business, but it wants to streamline the system, he added.
Cable TV Act Has Teeth to Regulate Tariff in State -The New Indian Express
..
