Disconnection Notice: Pay Star Rs 55 Crore By July 27, TDSAT Tells Dish TV

Dish TV has got interim reprieve from the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in the case regarding facing disconnection notice by Star India. In order to avoid disconnection of Star India’s signals, Dish TV has been directed by the Tribunal to pay Rs 55 crore to the broadcaster y July 27, 2019.

After being served the disconnection by Star India on July 3, 2019, Dish TV had filed a petition in TDSAT. Star India in its notice had disclosed the financial arrangements between the broadcaster and Dish TV, which led to a settlement MoU between the two parties on December 12, 2018. Star India also provided details to TDSAT which showed that Dish TV’s liabilities amounted to around Rs 554 crore, out of which the DTH service provider had paid a sum of around Rs 553 crore. That left an outstanding balance of Rs 8,370,895 as on July 22, 2019 in respect of billing till January 2019.

During the period February to May 2019, Dish TV was billed for a further amount of around Rs 284 crore, including the balance outstanding of Rs 8,370,895. The interest component was not included in this, as mentioned by Star India.

Dish TV now seeks to liquidate the arrears by disclosing in paragraph 11 of the petition that it shall pay Rs 55 crore by or before July 31, 2019. It also proposes to pay two tranches of Rs 100 crore each in August 2019 and September 2019.

TDSAT said, “Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we are of the view that if the petitioner pays Rs 55 crore to the respondent by 27th July, 2019 and produces proof of such payment by the next date, without prejudice to the claims of the parties, impugned notice shall not be given effect to until the next date. As it is, we have been given to understand that the notice shall take effect on 29th July, 2019.”―Adgully