PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Monday said the administration would examine the feasibility of the government taking over cable TV operations in Puducherry.
A committee has been constituted for the purpose, he said, intervening during a reply to a question from AIADMK member Om Sakthi Sekhar on the assurance given by the government on taking over the cable TV operations.
Revenue is necessary, he said, accepting the loss of revenue to the government from the private operators that was pointed out by the members.
Earlier replying to the question, Local Administration Minister N G Panneerselvam said the government’s intention was to take over the cable TV operations. The suggestions from the members would also be taken for consideration, he added.
Om Sakthi Segar stated that there were 2.4 lakh cable TV connections, earning ` 4.8 crore through a connection charge of `200 to `250 per month. Even if they paid 10 per cent of their earnings as tax it would amount to a sum of around `48 lakh earnings for the government. If a service tax of 2 per cent and educational cess of one per cent is collected upon it, the government would earn further revenue. Moreover, if charges are levied on usage of electricity posts for connections at the rate of `32 per kmm, an additional `19,680 per month would be earned by the government.