"The Centre can decide on issuing Digital Addressable System (DAS) Licence only based on the recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) guidelines. TRAI had recommended that Centre and state governments should not involve in cable TV broadcasting," he said.
Responding to a set of questions in party mouthpiece 'Murasoli', he said after the AIADMK MPs took up the licence matter, the Centre had asked TRAI to reconsider the condition but the authority did not permit. "This is the fact."
He criticised Jayalalithaa for charging the Centre with "deliberate non-issuance" of DAS licence to Arasu Cable TV only to facilitate the business interests of a "particular family which forms part of the ruling coalition at the Centre," in an apparent reference to DMK.
He said it was not proper on her part to make such remarks at the National Development Council meeting.
Jayalalithaa had earlier written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention in the grant of the licence.
Cable business is almost monopolised in the state with the Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV), owned by Karunanidhi's nephews Maran brothers, holding a lions share of subscribers.