NEW DEHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has recalled its order of 9 June last year asking Taj Television to continue its signals to UCN Cable Networks Pvt Ltd holding the “view that the petitioner no longer deserves any indulgence by the Tribunal.”
While passing its interim order last year, the Tribunal had said the multi-satellite operator should deposit a sum of Rs. 1.5 crore within a week and another sum of Rs. 1.5 crorewithin four weeks from the date of the first payment.
However, the Tribunal in its order on 3 June noted that Taj TV counsel Tejveer Singh Bhatia had now said that the outstanding dues against the MSO now stood at Rs 4.5 crores.
Noting that no one had appeared for the MSO, the Tribunal also observed the matter had been referred to the Mediation Centre where also “there was no regular appearance on behalf of the petitioner.”
The Tribnal listed the matter for 28 July but said “In case no one appears for the petitioner on the next date, the petition may be dismissed for non–prosecution without prejudice to any claim of the respondent.”
The petition by UCN Cable had been filed last year against the disconnection notices but according to the notices by Taj TV, the dues against UCN Cable for DAS and non-DAS areas amounted to Rs 4,40,36,870 as on 20 April 2015. In pursuance of the notices, the respondent had disconnected the supply of its signals to the petitioner on 27 May 2015.
UCN Cable had also been asked in June last year to pay to Taj TV monthly subscription fees according to the invoices raised by Taj TV and told that in case of default in payment of the installments and / or monthly subscription fees as per the invoices of Taj TV, it will be open to the broadcaster to disconnect the supply of its signals without any further orders from the Tribunal.
As per information provided on Taj Television’s website, the company distributes a suite of 49 leading television channels belonging to ZEEL, Zee Media Corporation Limited and Turner International India Private Limited.
