Capping cable rate not feasible, say Punjab operators

Chandigarh, November 24

Punjab’s local cable operators have questioned the authority of CM Charanjit Channi in announcing TV cable connection at Rs 100 per month, saying the Telecom Regularity Authority of India (TRAI) regulates the tariff and related services.

Also read: Punjab CM Charanjit Channi caps monthly cable rate at Rs 100

Sanjeet Gill, president, Punjab Local Cable Operators, said it was not possible to give the connection at Rs 100 per month as the lowest tariff fixed by TRAI was Rs 130, excluding GST. The tariff goes up depending upon the package. “By announcing the unrealistic tariff, the government has compounded our problems. We are already on the verge of shutting our business due to DTH operators. Nearly, 25,000 families are dependent on local cable operators,” he said. — TNS

Tughlaqi farman: AAP

• Terming the CM’s order a ‘Tughlaqi farman’, the AAP challenged him to issue an immediate notification of the decision
• AAP spokesman Malvinder Singh Kang claimed Channi had been making random announcements as he was nervous due to the support being given to the AAP