AMMK General Secretary urges Central Government to remove 18% GST levied on Cable TV Services

TTV Dhinakaran, General Secretary of the AMMK, has urged the central government to remove the 18% GST on cable TV services, highlighting the importance of economical television access.

In a post on the X platform, Dhinakaran demanded to lower TV channel prices from Rs.19 to Rs.5, standing in support of the demands of the Tamil Nadu Cable TV Operators’ Welfare Association.

The association recently held a hunger strike in Egmore, Chennai, in protest of the annual increase in TV channel fee structures, which has resulted in rising subscription rates. The above hikes were coined by low-income households that rely on cable television for essential news and entertainment.

Cable companies went on to argue that growing electricity rates in Tamil Nadu have already put financial pressure on their businesses. The additional 18% GST imposed by the central government on cable TV has added to the pressure and may push many cable TV operators to shut down.

Dhinakaran highlighted the necessity of protecting the cable television business, urging the central government and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to resolve these concerns. He advocated for the removal of the 18% GST to enable inexpensive cable TV services for all individuals, particularly those in economically challenged areas of society.