MUMBAI: Making good on his threat to made last Saturday to get after the television trade, BJP member of parliament (MP) from north-east Mumbai Kirit Somaiya, today filed complaints against the various constituents of the cable business in Maharashtra - MSOs (multi system operators), independent cable operators and broadcasters.
 

This evening Somaiya lodged complaints with the Mumbai commisioner of police, the city collector as well as the excise and permit department director.

The complaints were filed under various acts including Indian Penal Code under section 420 (cheating), 406, 441 and 447. The charges include threatening consumers; illegal and co-perversely collecting money; and not depositing the same with the concerned authority the cheating, exploitation of consumer under the MRTP," according to Somaiya's press attache.

Somaiya has warned that if satisfactory responses to his compalints are not received by Wednesday, he would be moving the courts through a public interest litigation (PIL).

Somaiya has made the following demands:

* Cable connections that were disconnected should be restored immediately.

* Price hike imposed on subscribers in the past four months be withdrawn.

* Cable operators and MSO staff must treat their clientele with respect and dignity.

* Everybody including pay channels, cable ops should reduce their rates.