<h1>National cable federation urges GST cut from 18% to 5% to ease costs for 64 million households and operators</h1> A national cable federation has formally requested the government and information ministry to seek GST Council approval to reduce the GST on cable TV services from 18% to 5%, arguing the cut aligns with planned GST reforms and would relieve financial stress on multi-system operators and local cable operators. The federation says the sector serves over 64 million households and sustains about 1-1.2 million livelihoods, and that rising channel fees, shrinking margins and unregulated digital competition threaten affordability. It contends a lower rate would ease consumer bills, improve operators' working capital and support broadband expansion.