GGCTOA called an emergency meeting to discuss for Assam Electric pole Problem

An emergency meeting has called by The Greater Guwahati Cable TV Operation Association (GGCTOA) on 22-2-2014 to discuss the crisis emerge out of the Bill of the pole utilization charged served by APDCL to GGCTOA. The Bill has been generated against GGCTOA from 5 circles of Guwahati APDCL amounting to 33,000 poles approximately with due date fixed on 26-2-14. The bill fails to specify the exact operator using the pole which is putting GGCTOA in an awkward situation to make payment of pole charges as per order of Hon'ble Gauhati High Court. The next hearing date is on 28-2-14, & non- payment of bills by GGCTOA shall amount to contempt of court. GGCTOA conveyed to APDCL this problem vide letter dated 14-2-14 & requested for operator wise break up of poles which till today has not been answered.

GGCTOA suspects deep rooted conspiracy by vested interest to hamper Cable business since there are other competitors who are basically corporate or multinationals entering the industry recently in wake of Central Govt guideline for digitization If the State Govt fails to come up with proper policies for streamlining the operations of Cable industry, which is being built by local educated unemployed youths, will be snatched by corporate or multinationals from outside Assam. The lackadaisical attitude of the State Govt has created a severe threat to the cable industry, endangering the livelihood of more than 40,000 youths employed in this industry across Assam. The meeting considering the urgency of the situation arising out of date finalized on 26-2-14 for APDCL Bill & indifferent attitude of APDCL has resolved to conduct protest through Cable Black Out as per programme below.

The other problems & demands of GGCTOA are-

1. APDCL must immediately withdraw all notices served to cable operators across Assam for removing cables citing security reasons as the matter is in court already.

2.APDCL must give extension of due date of bill served with operator wise break up of poles utilized or charge a nominal figure of not more than 1000 poles from GGCTOA until & unless proper survey or assessment is done.

3. APDCL must settle the pole charge at Rs 10- per pole for Guwahati & with considerable discount for areas outside Guwahati.

4. State Govt must form a task force with operators (MSO/LMO) for smooth digitization process of cable  in Assam.

5. Last but not the least, as per provisions of Cable TV Act, State Govt must form strong monitoring committee to safeguard the interest of local youths engaged as operators & also consumer rights. But State Govt seems to be satisfied with imposition of taxes in various forms only, without any policy or guideline for streamlining the industry which has also been recommended in Cable TV Act 2005.

Black Out Details:

Date: 25-2-14, Time: 10 am - 10 pm

Meanwhile on 22-2-14, after the news on tv channels regarding Black out, at about 9 pm, Hon'ble Power & Industry Minister of Assam - Mr Pradyut Bordoloi conveyed over phone to Gen Secy-GGCTOA regarding settlement of the issues. The Hon’ble Minister has assured of extension of due date & addressing issues related with APDCL & Industry Department.

Hence if APDCL provides in written by 24th Feb'14 the issues raised by GGCTOA, who is liable to pay pole charges by 26th Feb'14, GGCTOA shall withdraw the BLACK OUT.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/4327-ggctoa-called-an-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-for-assam-electric-pole-problem.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/4327-ggctoa-called-an-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-for-assam-electric-pole-problem.html