|
The chain reaction has come after the Indian government announced
that implementation of CAS in Delhi was being deferred in the light
of the state elections due in October.
While pointing out that, as of today, the ministry is going ahead
with CAS rollout in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai from 1 September,
in the absence of any formal word on it from the higher echelons
of the government, officials admitted that "nothing could be said
with certainty".
A senior I&B ministry official indicated that various bureaucrats
of the West Bengal government have sought deferment of CAS in Kolkata
too, while seeking clarifications from the I&B ministry.
Yesterday, additional secretary in the I&B ministry Vijay Singh
and joint secretary in the ministry Rakesh Mohan had gone to Kolkata
to discuss CAS. Incidentally, on the same day Mumbai's Shiv Sena
issued a fatwa against CAS, claiming that it was anti-consumer and
hence not to be rolled out in the city, unless done so in Delhi
too.
Still, according to government officials, the MSOs have maintained
that the demand for set-top boxes has been okay, if not enthusiastic.
A further deferment of CAS would result in "loss of credibility"
for the government, especially when around Rs 3,000 million is said
to have been invested by the industry in CAS-related infrastructure
-- all at the insistence of the government, the officials admitted.
Asked if the government was prepared for the expected backlash
from the cable industry in the wake of deferment in Delhi, and the
anticipated one in Mumbai, the officials replied in the negative.
When queried as to how it would respond if cable operators in Delhi
raised subscription fees to over Rs 400 per month from the current
Rs 150 to Rs 200, a senior I&B ministry official said, "If the situation
requires it, the government could take steps and arm itself."
|
