Kolkata (PTI): The cable TV industry has sought rationalisation of taxes on par with the IT and telecom sectors.

Cable TV Equipment Traders and Manufacturers Association (CTMA) Secretary K K Binani told reporters here on Tuesday that apart from import and excise duties, VAT on capital equipment used by the trade was 12 per cent.

He said this should be brought down to four per cent.

Binani said if VAT was lowered, then consumers would benefit by way of lower rates charged from them on a monthly basis.

He said it was long overdue and the government should also grant industry status to the trade.

Binani said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in its consultation paper, suggested that the cable TV industry should be treated at par with the telecom and IT industries.

Meanwhile, the association would organise the Cable TV Show 2008, in the city here from January 28-30, to showcase the various arena the cable TV industry has entered such as broadband, data, audio video and telephony.