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NT Bureau
Chennai, Aug 25:

        AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa today rubbished Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's claim that the Sate government is venturing into the cable TV business only to make more revenue while alleging that it was a move to settle scores with Maran brothers' Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV) enjoying monopoly in the cable TV distribution system.

        In a statement here, Jayalalithaa said her government introduced the Cable TV Regulation Bill on 21 January 2006, with a view to prevent the monopoly of SCV, a Multisystem Operator involved in the distribution of the cable TV services.

        After the Conditional Access System (CAS) was implemented in 2003, people were given an opportunity to watch free-to-air channels for a monthly subscription of Rs 90 per connection. In contrast, SCV were charging over Rs 200 per household. In order to prevent people being exploited, the Cable TV Regulation Bill was introduced, she said.

        However, Karunanidhi instead of taking part in the debate in the Assembly on the issue then, chose to call on Governor Surjit Singh Barnala with the then Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran and urged the Governor not to give his assent to the same, Jayalalithaa pointed out.

        On assuming office in May 2006, the Karunanidhi government promptly passed the Bill to protect his family's interest.

        However, after a family feud with the Maran brothers, Karunanidhi is now evincing interest in venturing into the cable TV business. The motive behind starting Arasu Cable TV Corporation is very clear. It is apparently an attempt to settle scores with SCV, she added.

        Karunanidhi has been justifying the decision to start Arasu Cable TV Corporation stating that it would bring more revenue to the exchequer. However, the people of Tamilnadu cannot be fooled, she said and added that Karunanidhi had decided to venture into the cable TV business with the tax-payers money to telecast his own channel and make money.

        The DMK government should reintroduce the Cable TV Regulation Bill passed during the previous AIADMK regime, she said and sought an explanation from the Chief Minister as to why he opposed such a move then.