|
Consumer society frowns upon
agitating Mumbai cable ops
The faceoff
between ESPN-Star Sports and Mumbai's cable TV trade continues
as cable operators are adamant that they will continue to
hold their ground and are preparing a delegation to visit
information and broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi.
Now, it is the turn of the The Consumer Guidance Society
of India (CGSI) to throw its hat into the ring. It has issued
a press release saying that it "has received many complaints
from television viewers against cable operators, where the
cable operators are depriving millions of cricket lovers
in Mumbai of the television coverage of triangular series
being played between India, Pakistan and Australia."
The CGSI says it wholly condemns the cable operators agitation
and has decided to initiate immediate legal action against
the cable operators and their associations. "We believe
this is totally unfair to hold the consumers to ransom where
hundreds of thousands of sports enthusiasts are missing
out on the exciting cricket series." "The cable operators
charge RS 100 - 150 from the consumers and they do not have
any legal right to block out the channels. By doing so they
are in the breach of their obligations to the consumers.
We plan to initiate action against the operators under the
Consumer Protection Act."
CGSI has also decided to focus on protecting consumer rights
against cable operators in the following key areas. It also
plans to educate consumers about their rights against the
cable operators, and also take up the issues with the Information
and Broadcasting Ministry, the Government and appropriate
authorities where adequate regulation should safeguard consumers
'interests.'
The CGSI points out to the following deficiencies:
1) Most of the cable operators do not specify which channels
they will show and on what frequency band. A consumer has
no recourse to file a complaint at any appropriate forum.
The operators also do not give a receipt of monthly subscriptions
they receive from consumers.
2) Cable operators have formed service monopolies in all
areas. Today in most areas the consumers do not have a choice
to get the service from any other cable operator. The CGSI
intends to take up the matter with MRPTC as this monopolistic
practice violates the basic rights of the consumer.
3) Many cable networks are passing on a very poor quality
picture and sound to their consumers. There is absolutely
no feedback, no action, no technical up-gradation despite
making several complaints to cable operators.
4) Adult movies along with offensive material is regularly
shown on the cable operators' channels. This practice is
illegal, and is also affecting young minds, and disturbing
the social fabric of our culture and traditions.
See
more headlines
|
