MUMBAI: Dish TV has paid the invoice for the month of September to Star India amid the ongoing payment dispute between the leading direct-to-home (DTH) operator and the broadcaster. Along with the current invoice, the second instalment towards the outstanding arrears has been paid as stated in a daily order of the Telecom Disputes Settlements and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) dated 21 November.

Earlier, TDSAT ruled that Dish TV should pay the admitted dues to Star India by the end of November 2019 in three equal instalments by the end of September, October and November 2019.

The latest order says that senior counsel for the DTH platform hinted that the petitioner is entitled to certain incentives in terms of the agreement enunciated and the circular of the respondent dated 27 September.  He also submitted that the invoices for the incentives have already been raised and submitted.  According to him, an early resolution of the demand for incentive would ease the burden upon them in making further payments.

At the same time, the counsel for Star India submitted that these invoices have been raised simultaneously for several months and, therefore, verification is taking some time.  However, he assured that the task shall be completed and a suitable reply will be given to the petitioner informing whatever is found admissible by way of incentives. 

Dish TV filed a petition in TDSAT against a disconnection notice issued by star India in July. Star India supplied a chart supplied to the TDSAT explaining Dish TV’s liabilities which mentioned a balance outstanding of Rs 83,70,895 on 22 July in respect of billing till January 2019. The tribunal noted that for the month of February to May 2019, the DTH operator has been billed for a further amount of Rs 284 crore including the earlier outstanding balance. Star India also mentioned that it has not included the interest component.

“Having considered the earlier order and the stand of the parties, we are of the view that in addition to the liability to clear the current invoice as indicated above, the petitioner should liquidate the entire arrears to the extent admitted and already noted by end of November 2019 and for this petitioner shall pay the remaining outstanding dues towards the arrears in three equal instalments by end of September, October and November 2019,” TDSAT had said in its order.

The matter has been posted under the same head to 11 December.