Mamata Banerjee questions Centre's March 31 deadline for set-top boxes

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed strong reservation over the March 31 deadline fixed by the Centre for installation of set-top boxes and said the poor would find it difficult to comply with it.

"Deadline for set-top boxes has been given as March 31. Many poor people will not be able to afford set-top boxes. Moreover it will be implemented in one area and not in others," Banerjee said.

Stating that at a time when the Centre had already burdened the common person with repeated hikes in fuel prices, restrictions on subsidised LPG cylinders and withdrawal of other subsidies, she said, "The Centre cannot force the people of Kolkata to purchase set-top boxes.

"Why is the Centre insisting on introducing set-top boxes? Why are they taking away the people's rights?" she asked.