The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, formally launched the Government-owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation, seen as a move against the Maran-controlled, multi-crore cable business in Tamil Nadu.

She launched the telecasting service through video conferencing from the Secretariat at Fort St George here, fulfilling the AIADMK's poll promise to provide cable TV services at subsidised rates.

The Sumangali Cable Vision, owned by the former Union Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, and his brother, Mr Kalanidhi Maran, enjoys a near monopoly in cable services in the State..

Arasu Cable was started as a previous DMK government initiative after a split in the DMK's first family, involving the party chief, Mr M. Karunanidhi, and his grandnephews, Mr Kalanidhi Maran and Mr Dayanidhi Maran, but remained dormant after they patched up.

Ms Jayalalithaa breathed life into Arasu Cable, appointing Mr K. Udumalai Radhakrishnan as its Chairman, after her party swept the April 13 Assembly polls.

In a recent statement in the Assembly, she had said Arasu Cable TV would provided 90 channels for Rs 70, including pay channels and would cover areas other than Chennai.

A total of 34,000 multi-system operators and cable operators, who possess more than 1.45 crore connections, have enlisted themselves under the State-run initiative and will pay the Government Rs 20 for a connection.

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