Telangana MSOs might not be naive to the effects they might have to face for defiance of a Central Authority which controls the cable system in the country. But the force that drove them to go for extreme step to defy the authority seems to have political connotations. The regulatory authority of India for cable networks TDSAT has asked the Union Minstry concerned to cancel the licenses of the Telangana’s MSOs.
Telangana government played blame game on Telangana MSOs that it is their personal decision to ban two channels which had been targetted by KCR. Inspite of several harsh suggestions from Centre, Telangana government remained mute and totally avoided the issue. MSOs too played their part well by pretending their helplessness to resume the channels’ telecast in the region. This game continued till TDSAT is irked to the extent that it decided to crack the whip finally.
This issue went to such extent that in besides taking decision to cancel the licenses, TDSAT ordered the officials of the range of home scretary and state secretary to appear before the tribunal and and give explanation on the possible outcome of this action. This meeting scheduled to happen on 29th October. All this must happen in the presence of Solicitor General. As the MSOs didn’t pay heed to the show cause notices sent by the I & B Ministry, the next step obviously would be to cancel the licenses. That means, the people of Telangana wouldn’t be able to view television programmes through cable networks.
