Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Cable TV Networking and Service Providers Association filed a case seeking relief from the cutting of illegally placed overhead wires, but the High Court of Bombay in Goa denied it on Wednesday, dealing a serious blow to television cable and internet service providers.
This ruling permits the Electricity Department to proceed with its initiative to eliminate unauthorized cables that are dangling from its poles. However, the HC gave operators the freedom to request authorization under the revised regulations, which will take effect on January 1, 2025.
Operators must obtain authorization under the new regulations in order to extend their services using the Electricity Department’s poles. Nevertheless, they haven’t requested or received this kind of authorization,” stated Advocate General Devidas Pangam. After two weeks, the court postponed the case for a new hearing.
The Association asked the court in its writ petition to grant an interim injunction that would prevent the Electricity Department and its Executive Engineer from severing or disconnecting wires that are vital to subscribers’ connectivity until the dispute was resolved. They promised to comply with a request for an arrears concession.
In contrast, the All Goa ISPs promised to follow the government’s instructions by January 31. The Electricity Department estimates that during the past two to three years, operators have failed to pay fees, resulting in a loss of almost Rs 50 crore.