M Karunanidhi threatens legal action against Sun TV
Friday - Sep 05, 2008
Amidst a worsening turf war over cable television operations in Tamil Nadu, chief minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday accused the Sun TV Network run by his grand-nephews of defaming the state-owned Arasu Cable TV corporation and threatened legal action against them.
In a statement occasioned by the ongoing war of words between the Sun group of the Maran brothers and the Royal Cable Vision floated in Madurai by his elder son M K Azhagiri, Karunanidhi said Sun TV had made remarks to the effect that Arasu would not start operations in Madurai to benefit RCV.
"This is a planned campaign against the state-owned corporation, and those engaged in this defamatory propaganda will have to be countered by legal measures. Arasu would begin operations from Sept 15 in Madurai, Tirunelveli and Chennai," Karunanidhi said.
Karunanidhi's warning came alongside indications from the Arasu corporation that it would move the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against the denial of channels from the Sun TV group to Arasu, which functions as a multi-system operator.
Karunanidhi castigated Sun TV for accusing the government of 'lying', when it said the Sun was refusing to share its feed with the Arasu corporation. Sun TV itself had admitted that it was engaged in talks with officials, which meant that its channels were not being shared with the state run network. "They take 10 days to write a letter and 10 more days to hold a meeting. These are nothing but dilatory tactics to deceive."
The chief minister also said other channels run by political parties like Jaya TV and Makkal TV were cooperating with Arasu by sending their feeds, and it was Sun TV alone that was refusing to do so despite a legal obligation.
Meanwhile, Brajeshwar Singh, managing director, Arasu Cable Corporation, said that the government-run MSO planned to move the "competent legal authority" to enforce its right to avail itself of signals from Sumangali Cable Vision run by the Maran brothers.
According to existing rules, signals should have been provided within 60 days from the date of request. However, with more than two months having elapsed, Arasu is planning to approach the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for redress. Singh said Arasu is likely to roll out its operations in Madurai along with Tirunelveli before September 15.
Later, Sun TV said in a statement that it was unable to give pay channels distributed by it to the Arasu Cable Corporation without getting to know the exact number of connections. It was the corporation that had sought time during talks to get these details and there was no delay on Sun TV's part.
M Karunanidhi threatens legal action against Sun TV | Televisionpoint.com News
Friday - Sep 05, 2008
Amidst a worsening turf war over cable television operations in Tamil Nadu, chief minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday accused the Sun TV Network run by his grand-nephews of defaming the state-owned Arasu Cable TV corporation and threatened legal action against them.
In a statement occasioned by the ongoing war of words between the Sun group of the Maran brothers and the Royal Cable Vision floated in Madurai by his elder son M K Azhagiri, Karunanidhi said Sun TV had made remarks to the effect that Arasu would not start operations in Madurai to benefit RCV.
"This is a planned campaign against the state-owned corporation, and those engaged in this defamatory propaganda will have to be countered by legal measures. Arasu would begin operations from Sept 15 in Madurai, Tirunelveli and Chennai," Karunanidhi said.
Karunanidhi's warning came alongside indications from the Arasu corporation that it would move the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against the denial of channels from the Sun TV group to Arasu, which functions as a multi-system operator.
Karunanidhi castigated Sun TV for accusing the government of 'lying', when it said the Sun was refusing to share its feed with the Arasu corporation. Sun TV itself had admitted that it was engaged in talks with officials, which meant that its channels were not being shared with the state run network. "They take 10 days to write a letter and 10 more days to hold a meeting. These are nothing but dilatory tactics to deceive."
The chief minister also said other channels run by political parties like Jaya TV and Makkal TV were cooperating with Arasu by sending their feeds, and it was Sun TV alone that was refusing to do so despite a legal obligation.
Meanwhile, Brajeshwar Singh, managing director, Arasu Cable Corporation, said that the government-run MSO planned to move the "competent legal authority" to enforce its right to avail itself of signals from Sumangali Cable Vision run by the Maran brothers.
According to existing rules, signals should have been provided within 60 days from the date of request. However, with more than two months having elapsed, Arasu is planning to approach the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for redress. Singh said Arasu is likely to roll out its operations in Madurai along with Tirunelveli before September 15.
Later, Sun TV said in a statement that it was unable to give pay channels distributed by it to the Arasu Cable Corporation without getting to know the exact number of connections. It was the corporation that had sought time during talks to get these details and there was no delay on Sun TV's part.
M Karunanidhi threatens legal action against Sun TV | Televisionpoint.com News
