Jolly Takes Forward Viewer’s Hardship Before Chief Secretary

Port Blair, Feb 12: The monopoly game of the Cable TV Service Providers in Andaman & Nicobar Island has been continuing in spite of the recent order by the District Magistrate South Andaman. Instructions were issued by the District Magistrate to issue fresh forms based on the recommendations of TRAI but it seems, the Cable TV Service Providers have decided not to adhere to the Magistrate’s order.

Taking the views of the consumers suffering under the hands of the service providers, the State President, BJP A&N Islands, Vishal Jolly has written a letter addressing to the Chief Secretary, regarding the hardship faced by the Cable TV viewers. In his letter, Jolly stated that it is being reported frequently for the last few weeks by the general public / cable TV viewers that Cable TV service providers have been engaged in extracting exorbitant rates, violating the guidelines of TRAI which came into effect from 01.02.2019. Jolly mentions:

The Cable Operators are not providing fresh forms to choose FTA Channels as per the wish of the consumer. The guidelines of TRAI clearly suggests that it is the choice of the viewer to choose channels as per their wish and desire. The TRAI Guideline are bound to be adhered / implemented in its true letter and spirit, whereas it has been largely reported / observed that the cable operators are unlawfully and illegally pressurizing the viewers to choose the channels according to the whims and fancies of the cable operators. The forms which have been issued to the viewers are printed in such a manner that it fetches financial gain to the cable operators and financial loss to the viewers.

The operators discontinued all selected channels by the customer, which is Non - compliance of Para 6 of Direction no 28/03/2018-B&CS dt.24/01/2019. 

The basic intention and objective of the guidelines framed by TRAI was to bring down the tariff and the liberty to choose the channel by the viewer, whereas the Cable operators are not complying with the basic objective of TRAI. It is pertinent to mention here that the acts and deed on the part of Cable TV Service providers are sending a wrong signal that the NDA Govt. is not taking care of the public at large. Vishal Jolly has thus requested the Chief Secretary to resolve the issue on top priority.