10th Cable TV India Show concludes; Cable community wary of cable tax

KANPUR: The forthcoming subscription hike and the cable tax were in focus in the recently concluded 10th Cable TV India Show here.

The annual event which took place between 16 December and 19 December saw a few government representatives attend the conference. Tax advisor to UP government Surendra Mohan shared government's position on the Cable business with cable community. The conference was also addressed by UP home minister Prakash Jaiswal.

Cable Operators expressed their concerns about the tax-related issues they have been facing especially due to the lack of clarity. They wanted their tax to be levied in a even manner where even the viewers should know about the tax that the cable operators pay to the government.

"The government should take special efforts in terms of some campaign to create awareness about this issue, so that viewers will know why the price is high and we will not face consumer wrath", one cable operator told indiantelevision.com.

The tax that is levied on cable operators should be compound tax rather than just one tax, opined cable operators. They also expressed their wish to be exempted from service tax. Operators were ready for paying additional tax "Provided government includes other parties like broadcasters and viewers are also involved in the process".

While demanding 'Industry' status for cable Industry, cable operators also mentioned the need for a national body for cable industry similar to TRAI which will focus completely on the cable industry.

The three day event was organised by Dr. A.K. Rastogi of Aavishkar Business Network. The event was a combination of conference and exhibition and was attended by the cable operators & distributors from UP and the surrounding states.