NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has reiterated that failure to collect fees from subscribers is not sufficient ground for any multi-system operator or distributor for non-payment of earlier dues or monthly subscription to a broadcaster.

Member B B Srivastava agreed with an earlier TDSAT order on 6 October 2014 quoted by Taj TV counsel Upender Thakur which is the respondent in the petition filed by Manthan Broadband Service Pvt Ltd.

The Tribunal in Petition No. 144(C) of 2014 (Sun Distribution Services Pvt. Ltd. vs Digicable Network (lndia) Pvt Ltd.) had observed:

“To my mind, the failure to collect from the ground is not a sufficient justification for not making payment to the broadcaster its earlier dues and the current monthly license fees in time."

After hearing counsel for both sides, TDSAT extended by 10 days the time given to Manthan to clear its dues to Taj TV 'by way of one time indulgence.'

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