NEW DELHI, SEPT 28: Cable TV operators today called off their strike following talks with Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitely.The operators had been on a strike since September 26 protesting the "lopsided" amendments to the Cable Act. The three-day strike in the capital was called off after talks between the Cable TV Operators' United Forum (CTVOUF) and Jaitley, forum members said.Talks held yesterday between the forum and the government had failed with cable operators saying that they were not satisfied with the arguments given by the government.The forum, spearheading the agitation, had alleged that the "lopsided" amendments to the Cable TV Network Act on the Advertisement and Programme Codes would hit the operators hard but not regulate the satellite channels beaming the content. Information and broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said that he may consider writing letters to all states clarifying that the cable operators' role begins only after the centre notifies a TV channel violating broadcasting or advertising codes.Major J S Kohli, speaking on behalf of the cable TV Operators United Front which spearheaded the strike since midnight on Monday, said the Minister had told them he would issue an executive order in this regard. The operators had met the Minister last night and twice today, and for the first time given him a memorandum of their demands.Mr Jaitley said he had assured the operators that both their main fears were unfounded. He also said the provision was clear that the power of enforcement only lay with the district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate and commissioner of police and no other officer.
