Cable operators seek price cut per channel

​Musheerabad: President of Telangana Digital Cable Operators Federation Sangishetti Jagadish demanded that the Central government to take back the new tariff order issued by TRAI. He was speaking at the cable operators’ meeting held here at Sundaraiah Vignana Kendram, Baghlingampally on Monday. 

Speaking on the occasion, Jagadish alleged that the new tariff was brought to protect the interests of broadcasters and MSOs at the expense of cable operators. Stating that the current system was started 30 years ago, he said that cable operators have been the connecting link between customers and MSOs. Explaining the crucial role played by cable operators in the Telangana agitation, he sought the support of the State government to support their cause. 

Given the turnover of Rs 66,000 crore turnout of TV industry, the Central government is trying to bring the industry into the gambit of GST and the new regulations were the part of the scheme, he alleged. Jagadish accused the Central government of taking hasty decisions against cable operators to benefit Mukesh Ambani. 

Stating that currently only Rs 250 is charged from customers for providing up to 350 channels, he said that once the new tariffs were implemented, each customer may have to incur an additional burden of Rs 1,000 a month. He demanded the government to reduce the maximum charge for each channel from Rs 19 to Rs 5. 

He demanded the State government to allocate double bed room houses to cable operators and insurance cover. The general secretary of the federation Bhadrinath Yadav, Bhavani Shankar, Prakash, Nagender, Rajgopal Reddy, Mukthar and others attended the meeting.