Cable operators get conditional nod from MP court

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered for continuation of cable television services by local service providers on the condition that the payments made to Multi-System Operators is done on regular basis.

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday ordered for continuation of cable television services by local service providers on the condition that the payments made to Multi-System Operators (MSOs) is done on regular basis.

The court however kept aside the petition of MSOs to vacate the blanket stay granted to the local cable television service operators for continuation of services, until the matter is settled.

"The recent court orders allowed the local cable operators to continue providing services to customers on the condition that they make regular payments to MSOs," said advocate Dinesh Rawat.

The MSOs had earlier complained that the local cable operators do not make payments regularly. On other hand, the local cable operators allege monopoly by big players in deciding packages and rates of the TV channels.

"Packaging of TV channels and charging indiscriminately goes against the interests of consumers. Ultimately they have to bear the cost burden," said Iqbal Khan, the president of Malwa Cable Operator Sangh.