Kama Of Kingstone

By N.THYAGARAJAN
One may think, that anything brought under the control of either the State or the Centre will flourish immediately. Of course, to implement a scheme, it needs to face a lot of teething problems.
Tamil Nadu’s Arasu Cable TV Corporation, which started its Cable TV Control/Operation Office in Coimbatore city on Friday, is yet to receive the backing of cable operators in the district.
While the operators under the banner of ABC Cable TV Network have come forward to act under the Arasu Cable TV, those under the control of Sumangali Cable TV network are unwilling to join. They say the government seems to be unwilling to allow pay channels.
Sources say that the corporation has the support of only 10 per cent of 2,000 operators across the district. The city alone has about 550 operators.
The members of Coimbatore District Cable TV Operators Association (CCTVOA), presently attached to Sun group’s Sumangali Cable network, gathered at the Arasu Cable TV Office and aired their grievances to protect their livelihood. “We are told by the officials that it is run on a test basis from Friday morning. After 10 days we will get a clear picture. But one thing is clear that if the officials try to give connections through the members of ABC network, it will not happen. We are a huge group.Though we are under the control of Sumangali cable, we are ready to act under Arasu cable on the condition that pay channels such as Sun TV, Star TV, Zee TV and ESPN will be allowed through Arasu Cable connections. Operators can not survive without ensuring connections to these popular channels as the customers are obsessed with”, said C M Rajendran, district secretary of CCTVOA.Even if the government compels the operators to give Arasu cable connection to the people, the response will be poor. Those customers who opt for Arasu connection have the option of getting Sun DTH (Direct to Home). Hence, the Arasu cable should allow pay channels facilitating the operators to survive in the business, Rajendran added.
The members of CCTVOA at large feel that the government may threaten all the operators through local police inspectors to join the Arasu cable. However, Coimbatore unit of Tamil Nadu Cable TV Operators Welfare Association (TCOA) has expressed the full support for the Arasu cable TV corporation.
P Krishnakumar, district coordinator of the TCOA, said: “More operators are coming under the Arasu Corporation as the government has assured to protect their livelihood and provide all sorts of support.
Other Stories