The Hindu Business Line : TN Assembly approves Bill to take over MSOs<br>'Govt to acquire cable TV operations in stages'

THE Government will acquire cable television operations in the State in stages, said the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, in the Assembly today, intervening during a discussion on the Bill that provides for the acquisition.

The Assembly approved the Tamil Nadu Acquisition, Transfer and Taking Over of the Administration of Cable Television Network (Including Multiple Service Optical Transport System) Bill, 2006.

On the final day of the last session of this Assembly, the House also approved among a slew of Bills, one to do away with dual taxation on cement and another to regulate admission to professional degree courses.

The proposed law on cable television networks envisages acquiring the operations of eight large Multi-System Operators (MSOs) including Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV), a unit of the Sun TV network, and Hathway of the Rajan Raheja group.

The Chief Minister said that in the first stage the law would take effect in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli and Salem. This would help to set right the deficiency and faults in the service offered by the cable TV networks. It would also be implemented in stages in other places.

Ms Jayalalithaa said that the law was aimed at correcting the imbalances and deficiencies in service offered by the MSOs.

There are over 14,000 cable television operators and 45 lakh connections. But some companies have a virtual monopoly over the operations. This was against public interest as television was an integral part of life that was important for information and entertainment.

The Chief Minister was responding to points made by the opposition DMK and Congress (I), which questioned the powers of the State Government to enact such a legislation, when the subject came under the Centre's purview. The DMK felt that the law was vindictive and targeted at specific companies.

Sales tax on cement: The Assembly approved another Bill amending the Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act, 1959, to bring in a uniform rate of 14 per cent sales tax on cement. It abolishes the dual rates of 16 per cent and 24 per cent.

Professional courses Bill: Another Bill, The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Admission in Professional Courses Bill, 2006, that does away with the common entrance test for admission to professional courses for State Board students was also approved. But those in other boards such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) need to take the entrance test to equate them with those on the State Board.

The House was then adjourned sine die.