State MPs will push for uniform cable TV rates

State MPs will push for uniform cable TV rates

Mumbai: In order to regulate exorbitant charges levied by cable operators on subscribers, the Maharashtra government has asked the Centre to fix a maximum retail price (MRP) for the industry across the country. At present, there are no uniform rates for cable connections.
    “Cable operators arbitrarily levy service charge on consumers. There is no MRP provision for the industry that provides cable connection. To control the monthly cost of cable TV and bring uniformity in the rate of connections throughout the country, the state government has urged the Centre to amend the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act,” a senior government official said.
    According to the cable operators’ association, there are over 30 lakh subscribers in Mumbai. Of these, nearly 20 lakh have digitalized cable connections, while the rest get signals through the dish installed at their respective places.
    Anil Parab, president of the Cable Operators’ and Distribution Association, has welcomed the government’s initiative to have uniform rates and MRP for cable connections. “The only thing the industry expects from the government is that it be taken into confidence while deciding the price limit for each cable connection,” Parab added.
    “The state government has sent the proposal to the Centre for having an upper limit on the monthly cable charges that operators can levy on subscribers. The proposal tabled before the Union ministry of information and broadcasting has been forwarded to the ministry of home affairs. To get the law amended and bring respite to lakhs of cable subscribers in the country, MPs from Maharashtra cutting
across party lines should pursue the issue in parliament,” the official added.
    Every year before the Union budget session, the state government prepares a manual highlighting the issues that Maharashtra MPs need to pursue with the Centre. The CM holds a meeting with MPs to discuss issues mentioned in the manual. Following the tradition, CM Prithviraj Chavan too held a meeting with MPs on Thursday and circulated the manual to them. The manual mentions the cable issue that needs to be discussed in Delhi.