Arasu Cable TV operators have laid siege to the Tirupur District Collectorate demanding to halt demand for analog dues, and urged for the setting up of welfare board for cable TV operators.
Tirupur: The Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) was established in 2011 by the Government of Tamil Nadu. As many as 24,619 cable operators had registered as local Cable TV Operators (LCO) on Arasu Cable TV and they had cheered over the freedom from the shackles of Corporates, when the new initiative was brought forth.
In this context, in 2011, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) came up with the practice of digitally broadcasting on cable TV only through set-top boxes. In 2017, the Tamil Nadu government had launched a scheme to provide free set-top boxes to customers. When private companies were selling set-top boxes to customers at a price, the Government cable TV provided priceless set-top boxes, bringing joy among the operators.
In the meantime, the functioning of the State Cable TV Corporation has been affected and the local Cable TV Operators (LCO) suffered. In March 2017, the analog system was discontinued and the digital system was launched.
"In this situation, it is disheartening to note that the government officials are portraying us as debtors by harassing operators through the Police and the revenue department over a period of time, claiming that there is a pendency of an analog mode of broadcasting" complained Arasu cable TV operators.
"Years after notices have been issued to thousands of operators who have registered on the state cable TV saying that they have outstanding dues.it is improper to harass the operators using the government machinery" the cable TV operators noted.
"Even though in September 2017, it was announced by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu that the set-top boxes issued would be free for customers as the operators had paid Rs.300 per box as deposit at the time of purchase of government set-top boxes, the Arasu table cable corporation is demanding to pay for the. But it is unfair to charge the operators at the rate of Rs.1,800 for boxes that are not processed at present" the operators noted.
Pressing for these demands a petition has been submitted to the District Collector on behalf of the Tirupur District Cable Operators' Public Welfare Association and they maintained that this would create a conflict between the customers and the operators.
Earlier, the operators gathered in front of the district collectorate and raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu government to press for various demands.
They also demanded that notices demanding analog dues be waived off and demand for return of set-top boxes provided free of cost to customers should be stopped immediately.
A demand to set up a welfare board for cable TV operators was also stressed.
In this context, in 2011, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) came up with the practice of digitally broadcasting on cable TV only through set-top boxes. In 2017, the Tamil Nadu government had launched a scheme to provide free set-top boxes to customers. When private companies were selling set-top boxes to customers at a price, the Government cable TV provided priceless set-top boxes, bringing joy among the operators.
In the meantime, the functioning of the State Cable TV Corporation has been affected and the local Cable TV Operators (LCO) suffered. In March 2017, the analog system was discontinued and the digital system was launched.
"In this situation, it is disheartening to note that the government officials are portraying us as debtors by harassing operators through the Police and the revenue department over a period of time, claiming that there is a pendency of an analog mode of broadcasting" complained Arasu cable TV operators.
"Years after notices have been issued to thousands of operators who have registered on the state cable TV saying that they have outstanding dues.it is improper to harass the operators using the government machinery" the cable TV operators noted.
"Even though in September 2017, it was announced by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu that the set-top boxes issued would be free for customers as the operators had paid Rs.300 per box as deposit at the time of purchase of government set-top boxes, the Arasu table cable corporation is demanding to pay for the. But it is unfair to charge the operators at the rate of Rs.1,800 for boxes that are not processed at present" the operators noted.
Pressing for these demands a petition has been submitted to the District Collector on behalf of the Tirupur District Cable Operators' Public Welfare Association and they maintained that this would create a conflict between the customers and the operators.
Earlier, the operators gathered in front of the district collectorate and raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu government to press for various demands.
They also demanded that notices demanding analog dues be waived off and demand for return of set-top boxes provided free of cost to customers should be stopped immediately.
A demand to set up a welfare board for cable TV operators was also stressed.