Free TV scheme to promote ruling family business: Jaya

Chennai, Mar 29 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalitha a today took a dig at DMK Government's free television scheme saying there was no dearth of funds for the scheme even as there was paucity of money for those with real tangible benefits for the poor, as the scheme was 'aimed at promoting the business motive of the ruling family.' In a statement here, she pointed out while there was paucity of funds for schemes which provided real tangible benefits to the poorer sections of society, there was no dearth for the colour television scheme.

''In reality, this is a scheme formulated by scheming business barons for self aggrandisement,'' she said adding, ''it might look impressive, but only if we forget the real shark-like business motive of the scheme aimed at promoting the ruling, family business.'' Ms Jayalalitha, a also mentioned that after the scheme was introduced, a television channel owned by the ruling family was made a pay channel and people were made to pay more for cable TV connections to the MSO which was the sister concern of the channel.

The MSO had the maximum number of cable connections in the state, she claimed.

''Even assuming the basic tariff is Rs 100 per connection, the money pouring into the private business of television channel/MSO will be a whopping Rs 1,200 crore per year when the scheme is completed,'' she added.

''The cost of the TV sets provided is less than Rs 3,000 each,'' she said adding that the beneficiaries will be shelling out more than the cost of the television in less than three years.

UNI