New Delhi: Accusing broadcasters of trying to "derail" implementation of Conditional Access System (CAS), cable operators on June 19 asked government to take stern steps against channels that did not disclose their rates.

"It is now evident that Star TV, Sony TV and ESPN Star Sports channel broadcasters want to derail the implementation of CAS and have no intentions of complying with government directives," the National Cable and Telecommunication Association said in a letter to Pawan Chopra, secretary, Information and Broadcasting.

It said broadcasters were still not prepared with the final details on the channel rates and have devised a "super tier aimed at forcing the entire lot of pay channels down the throat of the Indian cable TV viewers".

Describing the practice as undesirable, it said this will not enable the cable operators to declare rates of individual channels as required by a June 6 notification.

It urged government to strictly implement the notification, which said channels that did not disclose their policy or pricing by June 15 will not be carried by cable networks after July 14 when CAS rolls out in the four metros.

"This will be the most effective step in protecting the consumer interests also it will compel these channels to either go free-to-air or declare their stand alone individual pay channel prices," it said.

PTI