| Reacting to the charge of "high-handedness" levelled by the cablemen, D'Silva said that the 7 per cent hike in prices "" ostensibly the reason for dropping the two Star bouquets "" was in keeping with the Indian government's tariff orders of January 2005. |
| Even so, Star had not increased the prices to cable operators in Kolkata for six months. He also said that no cable operator had been forced to carry the second Star bouquet, as is being alleged. |
| Star has also set up a helpline (1250177) and an SMS (GET, to 7827) service for aggrieved viewers, to help them switch to a new cable operator. |
| The broadcaster also wants them to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal or the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for legal redressal. |
| D'Silva also argued for a notice period for cable operators before suspending telecast of a channel, much like the 30-day notice broadcasters have to give. |
| When contacted, Amit Nag of Indian Cable Net accused Star alleged that it was Star which was not following the procedures laid out by the TDSAT in its March 29, 2006, judgment. |
| He alleged that star had tied up a number of multi-storied buildings in the city to install its head-ends. |
| Reacting to cable operators switching MSOs, as some like Silverline Broadband Services had recently done, he said, "Indian Cablenet and Manthan control over 80-85 per cent of the last mile operators. What does it matter if five or 10 of them switch sides?". |
| He claimed that a reverse movement was also happening as a few cable operators like Tollygunj Forum and Face to Face had switched to Manthan and Indian Cablenet in "solidarity". |
| On March 15, Star had switched off feed to Manthan, one of the three main multi-system operators in Kolkata, alleging unpaid dues to the tune of Rs 2 crore. |
| Manthan then appealed to the TDSAT which is still hearing the case. |
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