By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu is all set to have the first state-run cable television distribution business.
A formal application for obtaining the licence as a cabling network operator would be forwarded to the central government shortly, a government press release said.
Following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi which was attended by Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy and senior officials of the government, a brief statement was issued that a public sector corporation would soon begin offering cable television connections. Other details would be finalised at a cabinet meeting Aug 11.
Sources indicated that the public sector Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) would have a major say in the business.
Significantly, the move has come just a few weeks before the launch of a pro-Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) satellite television channel. Observers view this as an attempt to weaken Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV), the biggest multi-system operator (MSO) in Tamil Nadu owned by Karunanidhi’s grand-nephews, the Maran brothers.