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CGSI contemplating action against cable operators

The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) was planning to initiate action against cable operators for “holding the consumers at ransom for personal gains” by discontinuing the telecast of certain channels in Mumbai and surrounding areas. According to a CGSI release, the society had received several complaints from various consumer groups, which have decided against paying up their monthly dues to cable operators to protest the latter’s decision to stop relaying certain channels.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, the non-payment of the fees for the month (during which any of the channels are blocked) could not prejudice or affect any action initiated by the consumers/co-operative societies against the erring cable operators, the release said. Cable operators, who charge anything from Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 from consumers do not have any legal right to block out channels, it claimed.

The CGSI also planned to take up various issues with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other authorities including airing of adult movies containing offensive material, formation of monopolies by cable operators and tampering of the right of information and education by cable operators for their personal gains, the release said. It also would take up the issue of cable operators refusing to furnish receipt of monthly subscriptions and specifying channels that would be shown against the subscription amount.

PTI