Chennai: The Tamilnadu government officials have announced that they are planning to charge the Arasu Cable TV subscribers with a fixed MRP for the cable TV service, in view to avoid pilferage at the Local Cable Operators level.
Arasu cable was started by the Tamilnadu government in the year 2007, since 2011 the government involved in full- fledged cable TV service providing 100 channels for Rs. 70. The digital cable TV service commenced in 2014 in all the four major cities in Tamilnadu, including Chennai. As of now around 22 lakhs Set Top Boxes have been distributed free of cost, all over Tamilnadu.
Earlier, on behalf of the Arasu cable TV operators union, a petition was submitted seeking reduction in the price of the monthly cable TV charges. However, the Arasu cable TV responded to the petition that the reduction of the cable TV charges is not possible, hence the management is planning to fix an MRP price for the same.
Commenting of the development, the officials said, “When the Arasu cable TV service was started by the Tamilnadu government, the analogue service provided 100 channels at an affordable price of Rs. 70. Subsequently when it was digitized 200 channels for Rs. 150 and 400 channels for Rs. 210 was offered to the subscribers. When the GST is added to this monthly fee of cable TV, the price increases. Since the subscribers are unaware of the GST rates, we received complaints that the cable TV operators are collecting a higher price for the cable TV service in name of GST “
They further commented that,“ In order to seek a solution to this chaos, MRP will be fixed for the cable TV service in which the GST will also be included. Thereafter the subscribers have to just pay the fixed MRP.”
