The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL) has imposed a deadline for the Local Cable Operators (LCOs) who run their cables on the electric poles owned by the organization. The Cable industry was asked to remove cables from the electric poles before 9th December and also warned that the organization shall remove those cables without any further information after the 9th Dec deadline. On the other hand, it has also asked them to clear all the dues. The Deputy Executive Engineer (Operation), Amaravathi has sent a letter to this extent.
The power distribution company is of the opinion that “the cable TV network is running network cables along with APCPDCL poles without maintaining standards by the cable operators.” It also made a seeping comment on the cable fraternity that “they (cable operators) do not have much technical knowledge in recognizing Voltage Level of the OH lines on poles, ie., 33kv, 11kv, and LT and induction effect of voltage” . The cable operator has to maintain a minimum clearance of 2.44 meters, which is not being followed, as per the letter signed by the Dy. Executive Engineer.
The officer also felt that the cable wires have become an obstacle for the electricity staff to take up maintenance work and as such the APCPDCL is losing revenue on one hand and the prestige of the organization is going down on the other hand.
Keeping this in mind, the letter said that the Cable Network operators are requested to remove the cables on electric poles before Dec.9th, failing which the department itself will be forced to remove without any further notice. The Cable Operators were asked to make their own arrangements. The letter has also asked the cable operators to clear all the dues (pole tax being collected for using poles for cable TV distribution) immediately.
It is to be reminded here that the Cable TV Act provides for Right of Way (RoW) for laying cables to distribute tv channels through cable networks. The electricity department may collect a nominal amount in the form of rentals and many states are not collecting it while some states have been collecting. The monthly rental per pole care different in rural and urban areas. There were legal battles between the Cable Operators and the Electricity Department where the department lost the case.
Still, the APCPDCL has decided to warn the cable operators. It is interesting to note that the AP Govt owned AP Fiber Grid is also using the electric poles for laying its cables. The cable Operators under AP Fiber Grid are also using electric poles for running their cables. Yet, the APCPDCL has not considered this before issuing this notice to the cable operators. It is a question to be answered by the APCPDCL in view of the various angles to this issue.
It is likely that one more legal battle between the Cable Industry and the APCPDCL soon. The AP Digital Cable Operators’ Welfare association has come forward to offer its legal services in favour of the cable TV operators and it’s Secretary Mr.V.Sriram (9849343369) is available for any advice. Those who are facing any pressure form APCPDCL may contact him for assistance require, if any.
- Advertisement -
