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Incidentally, the cable trade (read multi system operators) in
Mumbai has got a 10-day grace period from the I&B ministry due
to Ganesh Chaturthi and the rollout of CAS is poised to happen only
after 11 September, when the festival ends.
Senior Shiv Sena functionaries have confirmed that the Sena supremo
will address the last mile operators in Mumbai.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Shiv Sena member of Parliament
Sanjay Nirupam says: "Most probably, Balasaheb will address
a meeting of all the last mile operators and address them on Sunday,
7 September 2003."
With his clarion call "Humse Panga mat Lo!" (Don't
mess around with us), Nirupam has been one of the most vociferous
MP who raised posers about the implementation of CAS in the country
in Parliament.
Shiv Sena Vibhag Pramukh and CODA (Cable Operators' and Distributors'
Association) spokesperson Anil Parab says: "Nothing is confirmed
as yet but Balasaheb will meet the last mile operators before the
new deadline for CAS implementation." Parab, himself a cable
entrepreneur (who started Dattatray Cable) feels that the way in
which CAS is being implemented currently is against the interests
of the consumers and the cable operators.
There were unconfirmed reports that senior BJP leaders including
the deputy prime minister LK Advani were scheduled to meet Thackeray
and obtain his support for CAS in Mumbai.
More importantly, Mumbai is the only city amongst the other metros
where the ruling NCP-Congress alliance hasn't had a say in the CAS
rollout - unlike in Delhi where both the BJP (Madan Lal Khurana)
and ruling Congress chief minister (Sheila Dixit) have opposed CAS;
similarly in West Bengal, the ruling CPI-M has sought clarifications
from the central government.
An Enam Securities report titled India Strategy dated 7 August
2003 says that CAS will change the Rs 80 billion pay TV market.
It says that in the pre-CAS era, the LMOs used to get Rs 65 billion,
multi-system operators (MSOs) used to get Rs 5 billion and broadcasters
will get Rs 10 billion. The scenario, says the Enam Securities report,
will change post the implementation of CAS. In the new scenario,
broadcasters will get Rs 35 billion plus Rs 10 billion; MSOs will
get Rs 5 billion and LMOs will get Rs 30 billion.
All eyes on the Sena supremo's meeting with LMOs.
Also read:
Government at a loss on
CAS in Mumbai
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