Mangaluru: As the South India Federation of Cable Operators Associations blackout channels as a mark of protest against the Telecom Authority of India’s order on new tariffs, cable television customers across South India were not able to view programmes on Thursday, January 24, between 6 AM and 10 AM.

Though the members of the Karnataka State Cable Operators’ Association (KSCTOA) claim that the new tariff system is against the interests of both operators and subscribers, people opine that new tariff plan of paying only to those channels which they use to watch is a good system and it should not be withdrawn.

The members of KSCTOA say that according to the new tariff plan consumers will end up paying more for fewer channels. The rates will go up owing to the proposal of a GST rate of 18% on channels. Hence, cable operators association is demanding a rollback of the order by January 31. “If TRAI fails to do so, we will launch an indefinite, nationwide blackout”, they warned.

‘Cable operators should not snatch the right of people’

Consumer rights activists and groups have opposed the decision of the operators. The Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike President Hanumantha Kamath, when contacted, opined that cable operators should not snatch the right of people. “Why should people pay money for those channels which they don’t watch? As it is a good system by the government, everyone should accept it including cable operators. If the cable operators are not getting enough income, they should ask TRAI to increase their percentage of commission. They should not urge TRAI to withdraw the new system”, he said.