Chennai, Sep 01: Much to the disappointment of viewers, pay channels of private TV networks went off the air in the metropolis today as the Conditional Access System (CAS) came into force, even as the Tamil Nadu Cable TV Owners Association said its implementation in the city was in the hands of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
"Everything is left in the hands of the Chief Minister. If she wants, it (CAS) can be implemented. If she says no, it cannot be enforced in the city", association president, Kayal Illavarasu, told reporters.
The association, he said, would also send a letter to Jayalalithaa, pleading with her to reduce the 21 per cent sales tax on Set Top Boxes (STB), as a result of which the cost of each box would be reduced by about Rs 600.
A telegram would also be sent to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, explaining the confusion prevailing in the minds of not only subscribers, but also cable operators, he said.
Meanwhile, a petition filed by a subscriber, challenging the implementation of CAS in the city, is likely to be taken up by the Madras High court today.
The largely viewed Sun TV, Jaya TV and Raj TV networks, all free channels, were available, while a part of the 10-channel Sun TV network, including Sun TV and SCV, Star, Zee and Sony network, besides the Star, Espn, Ten Sports and DD Sports channels were off the air.
Bureau Report