Title: Need to set up a regulatory authority to control the activities of TV operators to safeguard the interest of general consumers.
(NAGAR KURNOOL): Sir, most of the Cable TV Operators operating in big cities are monopolising their areas and charge arbitrarily without any reasoning. They do not allow cheaper services by new operators in their area of operation demarcated by them. Consumers are not allowed to change for a better operator who gives better services at reasonable rates. Such operators are hiking charges almost every month on the plea of enhanced rates of paid channels. Now, they are again asking increase on account of professional service tax imposed on them in the current budget. Although, the budget has not yet been passed, they are demanding extra payments.
I, therefore, appeal to the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting to look into the problems of consumers and standardise charges which should be publicly announced early and consumers should have the option of selecting channels which are not available now. I request the Government to control the activities of cable TV operators through a regulatory authority immediately to save helpless crores of TV viewers who are in their clutches now.