The Hindu Business Line : Cable TV operators urge Govt to expedite CAS

Kolkata, Jan. 22 The cable TV sector has urged the Government to expedite the imposition of the Conditional Access System (CAS) and streamline the taxation structure governing it with a view to providing the sector with a level-playing field vis-À-vis the Direct-to-Home (DTH) and telecom sectors. This was especially important in the wake of convergence technologies, according to Mr K.K. Binani, Secretary of the Cable TV Equipments Traders & Manufacturers Association (CTMA).

Addressing a news conference held here on Tuesday to announce details of the Cable TV Show 2008, Mr Binani said digitalisation, growth of broadband services and convergence were all set to impact the cable TV sector in a big way in the future.

He said Government policies currently favoured the DTH, IT and telecom sectors, especially with regard to taxation and institutional support. “This lack of a level-playing field has put the Indian cable industry sector in a tight spot,” he said.

Mr Binod Sancheti, President of CTMA, said the migration to complete digitalisation of cable TV would entail massive upgradation of networks involving huge capital expenditure. “If the Government brings down the import and excise duties along with VAT on capital equipment used by the cable TV industry from 12 per cent to four per cent and brings it on a par with the telecom and IT sectors, the cable TV industry would be in a position to pass on the benefits to the customer and become more competitive”, he said.

Mr Pawan Jajodia, Chairman of the Exhibition Committee, CTMA, said the Cable TV Show organised by CTMA had, over the year, emerged as the largest event of its kind in eastern India. This year, products and services of over 45 international vendors, representing the US, Europe, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Dubai, Korea and the SAARC countries, would be showcased at the Cable TV Show 2008.