Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
Cable TV woes
RIGHT FROM the time cable TV came into existence, the consumer has been at the receiving end.
As no regulatory body existed then, cable operators collected a non-refundable advance and subscription fees at will.
Even today, unwanted channels are provided and clarity is something that we yearn for in many channels.
Also, instead of providing a receipt for the money taken, cable operators only take our signature in their tariff card.
Over the years, the cost of maintaining a cable connection has risen manifold. Even though the law permits more than one operator in an area, a single operator invariably holds fort and the customer is held to ransom.
The solution for consumers is to join hands in a mass movement and either boycott Cable TV or ask Multi-System Operators for receipts for payment made.
They should also know what they are channels they will receive in case the Conditional Access System (CAS) were to be implemented in places other than the four metros.
Currently, the government promises 30 plus Free-To-Air (FTA) channels at Rs. 72 and all pay channels put together for a maximum of Rs. 200, including FTA channels.
Even though the government tries to be consumer friendly, the people should raise their voices in unison and demand what is their right.
The Government should also speed up the process of allowing Direct-To-Home (DTH) broadcast so that customers can directly view channels of their choice without any intermediaries.
Rajkanth Ramanujam,
President, Coimbatore Consumer Cause.
(Starting this week,
consumers can write
in their grievances in about 500 words to us at
Consumer Corner,
Metro Plus,
The Hindu,
19 & 20
A.T.T Colony,
Coimbatore - 641018
or e-mail it to cbemetro@thehindu.co.in.)
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