MUMBAI: Cable operators and control room owners in the western state of Maharashtra are hoping political heavyweight Sharad Pawar will help them secure their demand for the complete scrapping of entertainment tax. 

Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, a coalition partner in the state government, will be meeting a committee representing cable operators on Sunday. The panel will apprise Pawar of what they term as heavy handed treatment from the authorities on the issue of entertainment tax arrears, Mumbai-based Live Satellite Media promoter Atul Saraf, who is on the committee, said.

The issue has been hanging fire for over six months following the doubling of entertainment tax per connection per month from Rs 15 to RS 30 in municipal areas and from RS 10 to RS 20 in other parts of the state. It may be recalled that operators went on strike over the issue in August 2000 after which a committee representing operators, the government and consumers was set up to resolve the issue.