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Cable TV transmission were switched off in Kolkata for 24 hours resulting in partial to total blackouts on Sunday the 30th June. It was a result of protest against the packages introduced by the Multi-System Operators (MSOs). which they say are expensive and will force consumers to opt for DTH service. The cable operators threatened to go for an indefinite strike if their demand is not looked into.
"The packages have been introduced without giving a thought for consumers. There should be an acceptance from their end as well before implementing these," said Apurba Bhattacharya, general secretary, Cable Operators Sangram Committee.
He said the response to the strike has been massive and major portions of Kolkata, mainly its central, northern and eastern parts, have been hit. "Salt Lake has been hit by a relatively smaller extent. Hooghly, Midnapore, Burdwan, Malda and Nadia have been partially hit," said Bhattacharya adding their consumer base comprising middle class and lower middle class families have been the worst sufferers of the hike.
However, the MSOs denied any impact of the blackout. They said the response was scattered and did not affect majority of consumers. Some MSOs have declared the strike as illegal and have decided to take legal action against LCOs for violating TRAI regulations that require 21 days notice before any blackout.
Around 3000 cable operators in the eastern metropolis of Kolkata came on the streets on 29 June headed by the Cable Operators Sangram Committee to protest against MSOs distribution system and decided to go on strike on Sunday the 30th June.
A memorandum of demands was also presented to the office of West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee, who personally holds the Information portfolio.
The LCOs marched from Ramakrishna Mission`s Swami Vivekanda Ancient House in North Kolkata to Subodh Mullick Square in Central Kolkata to protect the Freedom of Subscribers choice.
The memorandum blamed MSOs for not publishing any PAF from where a Subscriber could choose his package, and no a la cart rate had been provided. The LCOs also opposed the attitude of MSOs towards LCOs, still demanding unfair and unjustified monthly amounts by raising invoices on LCOs. They deactivate all the STBs of that LCO without any notice, complained the Sangram Committee
Source: Digitization News - India's Leading Magazine for Satellite Broadcasting and Broadband Industries - CableQuest.org
