The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government to crack down on erring multi system operators

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Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government to crack down on erring multi system operators

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The government on Tuesday said it would not brook strong-arm tactics against a business rival by any multi system operator (MSO) and any complaint in this regard would be dealt with in a non-partisan manner.

It made it clear that it would not hesitate to initiate legal measures against any MSO resorting to intimidation or sabotage, at the first consultative committee meeting of Arasu Cable TV Corporation held here on Tuesday. The government spelt out its policies for the cable television sector at the meeting convened by Arasu Cable TV Corporation chairman Brijeshwar Singh.

S. Malathi, Secretary, Home, A. C. Mohandoss, Director, Information and Public Relations, and C. Chandramouli, IT Secretary, were present.

The corporation’s roadmap envisages delivery of digital television content through a network of cable head-ends and control rooms across the State in the first phase. It sought the cooperation of all cable operators, promising, at the same time, to look into their complaints about issues of taxation.

“Non-inclusive”

A section of cable operators voiced resentment over the “non-inclusive manner” in which the Government was going ahead with its plans to enter the cable entertainment sector.

The Tamil Nadu unit of the Federation of Cable TV Associations alleged that it was left out of the consultative meeting, though it represented nearly 80 per cent of the cable operators.

Demanding representation in the consultative committee, federation spokesman D.G.V.P. Sekar urged the government to implement its services simultaneously across the State rather than opt for phased distribution, “to prevent the process getting politicised.”

The federation, he said, was ready to extend logistic and technical support to such a move.

Panel sought

It also sought the constitution of an all-party committee, which should also include representatives of the film, television, media and police, to oversee the implementation of the corporation’s expansion plans.

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