Partial response to cable strike

The all-India strike call by the multi-system operators evoked a partial response, with normal services in most part of the country, barring Punjab, Jaipur and delhi where there was complete blackout of cable channels.

Interestingly, two major players -- RPG in Kolkata and InCableNet in Maharashtra -- backed out, taking away much of the sting from the strike-call by All-India Cable TV Forum, a grouping of major MSOs.

The agitation, in protest against the Budget proposal to bring MSOs under the service tax net, was already bereft of support from independent cable operators who refused to join on the ground they were already paying service tax for the past few years.

AICTF spokesman Virendra Gaur told PTI: "It was a good opening day and we expect to rope in more people in the coming days," adding that they had not received any communication from the government so far.

He claimed that a few parts in Uttar Prdaesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were also affected because of the strike.

The AICTF, which claims the support of MSOs like Hathway and SitiCable, has said it would block all channels, showing just four news channels, as part of its agitation.

Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy had a meeting with senior ministry officials, though officials said nothing was discussed with regard to the strike.