Cable operators threaten to lay siege to Raj Bhavan

A section of cable operators has threatened to lay siege to the Raj Bhavan if TRAI doesn’t withdraw its order on new tariffs for channels by January 30.

Nearly 1,000 cable operators protested outside the Chennai Collectorate on Wednesday condemning TRAI’s move to bring in a new tariff regime.

Under the new tariff regime, customers will get 100 free channels for ₹130 plus tax.

Customers will then get an option to choose channels

a la carte .

This, the cable operators say, will push up the monthly cable bill for the customers.

‘Revisit order’

P. Shakilan of the Tamizhaga Cable Operators General Welfare Association said: “With this new tariff proposal, customers will end up paying more than ₹800 per month and add to that 18% GST, the bill is likely to be around ₹950 per month.”

The cable operators demanded that the GST slab for cable TV be reduced from 18% to 5% and TRAI revisit its order.