Tag: AIADMK

AIADMK to launch Amma TV to promote govt schemes

MUMBAI: The current ruling government of Tamil Nadu has decided to launch its own news channel and newspaper to propagate government schemes.

The matter was decided at a party legislators’ meeting chaired by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy CMO Panneerselvam.

When J Jayalalitha ruled the state, Namathu MGR and Jaya TV served as mouthpieces for the party, but after the ousting of VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran from AIADMK, both platforms have become too critical of the ruling government.

The name of the newspaper would be Namathu Amma and will launch on 17 January while the TV channel is probably named as Amma TV, Jayalalitha’s moniker and is in the works.

In November, income tax raids under Operation Clean Money targeted shell firms belonging to 10 groups, including those run by members of Sasikala’s family and associates. The raids that went on for five days were also conducted at Jaya TV premises and at the residence of its managing director Vivek Jayaraman, another nephew of Sasikala.

January 4, 2018
MIB asks Arasu: Give proof of analogue switch-off

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV), which had early this month claimed to have gone digital, has been asked to “confirm that you have already switched off analogue signals and are carrying only digital encrypted signals on your cable TV network.”

In a letter to TACTV despatched late in the evening yesterday, the state-owned multi-system operator (Arasu) was told to reply within 10 days of issuance of the letter, “failing which your registration is likely to be suspended/revoked.”

Copies of the letter have been sent to the police commissioner in Chennai, the secretary in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and the principal secretary in the Tamil Nadu IT Department.

The letter sent by the under-secretary Anil Kumar in the Digital Addressable Service (DAS) section in the ministry of information and broadcasting said, “Since the date for TACTV to switch over to digital cable service in the state of Tamil Nadu is already over, you are directed to confirm that you have already switched off analogue signals.”

By the letter of 17 April 2017, the current letter noted, the ministry had granted provisional MSO registration to TACTV to provide cable TV network services with digital addressable system in Tamil Nadu with the condition that it will switch over to digital TV within three months, failing which its registration is likely to be suspended/revoked.

Thereafter, following a request received from the Tamil Nadu state government seeking a three-month extension, one month extension up to 17 August 2017 was granted.

TACTV had, on 1 September, announced the launch of its digital operations with the inauguration of upgraded MPEG 4 control room and distribution of free set top boxes to subscribers.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched DAS at Nungambakkam in Chennai. Minister for information technology M Manikandan and the chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan were also present.

The distribution of free STBs was a promise made in the last AIADMK party manifesto by the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Around seven million Arasu subscribers reportedly got access to 180 channels in digital quality at a monthly subscription of Rs 125.

The STBs were to be distributed to users through local cable operators who could charge a one-time activation fee of Rs 200. The distribution of free STBs was scheduled to be completed in three months, an official release had stated.

Meanwhile, the government was yet to take a final decision on repeated reports by TRAI that states, political parties, and religious groups should not be permitted in broadcasting or distribution sectors.

ALSO READ :

Arasu gets a month’s extension to go digital

Arasu to formally launch DAS in Chennai on Sept. 1

Delayed Arasu DAS starts, 7 mn subs to get 180 channels in Rs 125

September 26, 2017
Delayed Arasu DAS starts, 7 mn subs to get 180 channels in Rs 125

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV)’s digital operations (DAS) were launched on 1 September with the inauguration of upgraded MPEG 4 control room and distribution of free set-top boxes. Around seven million Arasu subscribers will now have access to 180 channels in digital quality at a monthly subscription of Rs 125. The STBs will be distributed among users through local cable operators who can charge a one-time activation fee of Rs 200. The distribution of free STBs will be completed in three months, an official release said.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami formally launched the digital addressable system (DAS) at Nungambakkam in Chennai. Minister for information technology M Manikandan and chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan were also present.

The distribution of free STBs was a promise made in the last AIADMK party manifesto by the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Centre had in April this year given a provisional MSO licence to Arasu on the condition that it had adopts DAS within three months.

Taking the ground that it had failed to get an adequate number of digital set-top boxes, TACTV had sought extension for three months beyond mid-July, but the Centre had only agreed to one month — till 17 August. Consequently, TACTV has been asked to complete the digitisation process by 17 August 2017 failing which the provisional the “registration may be suspended/revoked.”

Its present application seeking a further extension is still pending with the information and broadcasting ministry.

Four monthly packages have been offered to subscribers, including paid and free-to air channels: 180 channels for Rs 125, 230 channels for Rs 175, 260 for Rs 225, and 300 for Rs 275. The subscription fee is exclusive of 18 per cent GST.

According to government advertisements in the local media, STBs come with a three-year warranty and TACTV is the only state-owned undertaking in India to offer STBs at no cost. TACTV is aiming at six million standard definition (SD) STBs and one million high definition (HD) STBs.

“The proposed TV services (300 channels to start and to be expanded to 500) will be in MPEG 4 Standard definition and 30 Television services in HD (MPEG4) and 20 FM Audio services with provision to add more SD & HD Channels in the near future,” according to the tender document issued in May this year when seeking STBs.

It also said the system will ultimately aim to broadcast 500 TV channels, including 50 HD channels and 20 FM audio Channels. The initial subscriber base is expected to be over 7 million.

Meanwhile, the central government is still to take a final decision on repeated recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that states the political parties, and religious groups should not be permitted in broadcasting or distribution sectors.

ALSO READ :

Arasu gets a month’s extension to go digital

Arasu to formally launch DAS in Chennai on Sept. 1

September 2, 2017
How ‘internet’ mourned Jayalalithaa’s death

MUMBAI: 5 December, 2016, was a dark day. Not just for Tamil Nadu politics, but for everyone inspired by and believing in the strength of a self-made woman who rose to the senior ranks of leadership.

Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa’s death was a shock to the entire nation.

The announcement itself shrouded in doubts, rumours, misreporting and impending fear of rioting, it set India, and even people abroad, talking about it through social media.

So much so, that between 4 and 8 December ‘Jayalalithaa – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’ was the most searched topic on Google search, according to data collated by the digital marketing enterprise Liqvd Asia.

Mention of ‘Jayalalithaa’ also surged during this span of time.

If one were the spread out the reception/ reaction of her death on the internet into various platforms, it was clear that most people were mourning her death on Twitter. Twitter lead the discussions with a staggering 97.2 per cent, followed by comments. A total of 609K conversations on her were recording online during this time, as per the data provided by Liqvd Asia.

Going by regions, Puducherry showed complete interest in the matter with 100 per cent of its online conversation surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death. It followed naturally by Tamil Nadu. 36 per cent of the conversation coming from Andaman And Nicobar Islands too were about Jayalalithaa’s death.

Globally, while almost 75 per cent of the conversation recorded in India was about Jayalalithaa, the U.S., Malaysia and the UK too were talking about the same.

(The above story is based on the info-graphics provided by Liqvd Asia)

December 10, 2016
How ‘internet’ mourned Jayalalithaa’s death

MUMBAI: 5 December, 2016, was a dark day. Not just for Tamil Nadu politics, but for everyone inspired by and believing in the strength of a self-made woman who rose to the senior ranks of leadership.

Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa’s death was a shock to the entire nation.

The announcement itself shrouded in doubts, rumours, misreporting and impending fear of rioting, it set India, and even people abroad, talking about it through social media.

So much so, that between 4 and 8 December ‘Jayalalithaa – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’ was the most searched topic on Google search, according to data collated by the digital marketing enterprise Liqvd Asia.

Mention of ‘Jayalalithaa’ also surged during this span of time.

If one were the spread out the reception/ reaction of her death on the internet into various platforms, it was clear that most people were mourning her death on Twitter. Twitter lead the discussions with a staggering 97.2 per cent, followed by comments. A total of 609K conversations on her were recording online during this time, as per the data provided by Liqvd Asia.

Going by regions, Puducherry showed complete interest in the matter with 100 per cent of its online conversation surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death. It followed naturally by Tamil Nadu. 36 per cent of the conversation coming from Andaman And Nicobar Islands too were about Jayalalithaa’s death.

Globally, while almost 75 per cent of the conversation recorded in India was about Jayalalithaa, the U.S., Malaysia and the UK too were talking about the same.

(The above story is based on the info-graphics provided by Liqvd Asia)

December 10, 2016
NewsX-Today’s Chanakya exit poll

BJP sweeps Assam, Mamata rocks Bengal, it’s a change of Guard in Tamil Nadu & Kerala

#NewsXTodaysChanakya
New Delhi, May 16, 2016: As the political battle for power in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam drew to a close after the last vote was casted in the final phase of the Assembly Elections on Monday, NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll gave a clear indication of how the voters casted their ballot for the ultimate show of power in the four states.

The results of the NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll indicate that Assam looks all set for a major overhaul with the BJP making inroads to the seat of power in the state; Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress looks in command for another victory in West Bengal; the LDF may form a government in Kerala but UDF may spring some surprises too; the Congress-DMK alliance may just have enough juice to push Jayalalithaa out of power.

NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll data from Assam suggests the state may see a major swing of fortunes for the BJP and the party may finally take the mantle of governance from the Congress with the BJP projected to win 90 (+/- 9) seats. NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll results show that 70% of the respondents sought a change in the current regime. Congress is projected to bag 27 (+/- 7) seats.

Mamata Banerjee’s governance seems to be working in West Bengal and the TMC chief looks all set to retain power in the state as 60% of the respondents did not want a change in the current government. The NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll data on West Bengal Assembly elections suggests 210 (+/ – 14) seats for Trinamool. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however, seems to be not making the desired impact in the state despite aggressive campaigning and the survey gives 14 (+/ – 5) seats to the party. The Left-Congress alliance in the state has been predicted to win 70 (+/- 9) seats in the state.

NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll data on Kerala projects that the Congress might not be able to retain power in the state with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) being predicted as the winner with 75 (+ / – 9) seats in a House of 140. The poll data further suggests that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will perhaps get only 57 (+/- 9) seats. The BJP is predicted to get 8 (+/ – 4) seats in the southern state.

NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll survey for the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections gives an indication of a victory for the alliance of Congress with its old UPA partner DMK with 140 (+/ – 11) seats. Data suggests that theTamil Nadu Assembly Elections-Jayalalithaa led AIADMK is on its way out of power in the state, bagging 90 (+/ – 9) seats in the 234-strong Assembly.

May 16, 2016
NewsX-Today’s Chanakya exit poll

BJP sweeps Assam, Mamata rocks Bengal, it’s a change of Guard in Tamil Nadu & Kerala

#NewsXTodaysChanakya
New Delhi, May 16, 2016: As the political battle for power in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam drew to a close after the last vote was casted in the final phase of the Assembly Elections on Monday, NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll gave a clear indication of how the voters casted their ballot for the ultimate show of power in the four states.

The results of the NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll indicate that Assam looks all set for a major overhaul with the BJP making inroads to the seat of power in the state; Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress looks in command for another victory in West Bengal; the LDF may form a government in Kerala but UDF may spring some surprises too; the Congress-DMK alliance may just have enough juice to push Jayalalithaa out of power.

NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll data from Assam suggests the state may see a major swing of fortunes for the BJP and the party may finally take the mantle of governance from the Congress with the BJP projected to win 90 (+/- 9) seats. NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll results show that 70% of the respondents sought a change in the current regime. Congress is projected to bag 27 (+/- 7) seats.

Mamata Banerjee’s governance seems to be working in West Bengal and the TMC chief looks all set to retain power in the state as 60% of the respondents did not want a change in the current government. The NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll data on West Bengal Assembly elections suggests 210 (+/ – 14) seats for Trinamool. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however, seems to be not making the desired impact in the state despite aggressive campaigning and the survey gives 14 (+/ – 5) seats to the party. The Left-Congress alliance in the state has been predicted to win 70 (+/- 9) seats in the state.

NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll data on Kerala projects that the Congress might not be able to retain power in the state with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) being predicted as the winner with 75 (+ / – 9) seats in a House of 140. The poll data further suggests that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will perhaps get only 57 (+/- 9) seats. The BJP is predicted to get 8 (+/ – 4) seats in the southern state.

NewsX-Today’s Chanakya Exit Poll survey for the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections gives an indication of a victory for the alliance of Congress with its old UPA partner DMK with 140 (+/ – 11) seats. Data suggests that theTamil Nadu Assembly Elections-Jayalalithaa led AIADMK is on its way out of power in the state, bagging 90 (+/ – 9) seats in the 234-strong Assembly.

May 16, 2016
Dayanidhi smells ‘political vendetta’ behind ED’s actions

MUMBAI: A day after India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued an order to attach properties and assets worth Rs 742.58 crore belonging to South Indian media baron Kalanidhi Maran and his brother, the former Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi, the latter has alleged “political vendetta” and accused the ED of acting like a “puppet” in the hands of “someone.”

“ED ‘flouted’ rules. It shows that somebody is behind it,” he told PTI on 2 April. He also said that he will take a legal recourse and come out clean in the case.

Dayanidhi in a statement alleged that “someone was directing the ED from behind.”

He said that while it was “evident” that he had no ownership in or connections to direct to home (DTH) platform Sun Direct or South Asian FM, the professional investments in these were “distracted.”

Dayanidhi went on to add that foreign investments in a domestic company couldn’t be done without the approval of the Centre. “It cannot be but politics painting colours to such a business transaction. ED had ignored certain legal provisions in this matter,” he told PTI in Chennai on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, DMK has denied any link to the Aircel-Maxis deal case, saying it has nothing to do with Sun TV or the deal. The party however, according to the report, will be fine tuning its strategy to ensure that its campaign for the upcoming elections is not marred.

Contrary to the expectations, even after all the controversies Sun TV shares saw a hike of 3.20 per cent, closing at 453.85 up from 440.65 on 2 April.

Sun TV also has a stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad and it remains to be seen if ED intervention will have an impact on the fast approaching multimillionaire league.

April 2, 2015