Mumbai
cable ops ignore shutdown call
(Posted on 28 February, 8:30 pm)
In a reflection of the deep divisions among cable operators
and control room owners, a call for a shutdown in Mumbai to protest
against the ongoing drive in the western state of Maharashtra
to collect entertainment tax arrears was largely ignored in the
city.
The call was given by the newly formed Union of Cable Operators
and Cable Room Owners (UCOCRO), after a marathon meeting on Tuesday.
The attempt of UCOCRO to bring cable operators under one umbrella
has clearly failed and few operators seem to buy the argument
that the way to protest against the recent directive from the
government to get tough on defaulting operators is through a united
shutdown.
The matter has been hanging fire for over six months following
the doubling of entertainment tax per connection per month from
Rs 15 to RS 30 in municipal areas and from RS 10 to RS 20 in other
parts of the state. It may be recalled that operators went on
strike over the issue in August 2000 after which a committee representing
operators, the government and consumers was set up to resolve
the issue.
The fractious nature of cable industry can be seen from the
email sent to us by a leading Mumbai cable operator in response
to the report on the strike call posted on Tuesday:
"Do not put false and stupid statements about the cable TV
industry, [total band(h) in Maharashtra]. If Atul Sharaf says
there will be no transmission in Maharashtra, can he shut off
his own network? Leave the whole maharashtra, and you unnecessarily
put (out) a false statement.
"Just because of the few people who want to be leaders
they do all this nonsense. Any sensible businessmen will not go
for it. If the government imposes taxes it has to pass it on to
(the) subscriber. Band(h) is not the solution. As it is operators
are not paying 100 per cent tax of their subscriber but on the
increase they can increase on their total subscriber base.
"You said there will be total band(h) on Tuesday midnight.
All wrong and bullshit."
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