Bharti drags govt to TDSAT

Bharti drags govt to TDSAT

Tuesday, February 8, 2005 (New Delhi):

Bharti Group has dragged the government to the TDSAT seeking refund of Rs 135 crore.

The money was paid by the company as entry fee for acquiring basic licences, upon migrating to Unified Access Service Licence regime.

Fearing a "snowballing" effect of this case, Department of Telecom has shot off a letter to Department of legal affairs seeking approval of empanelment of three senior advocates.

"Because of regulatory changes our basic telecom licences have become redundant and therefore we are seeking refund of the entry fee paid by the company," said Bharti officials.

Cabinet decision

Government had approved the policy of Unified Access Service (UAS) licence as per decision of the Cabinet in October, 2003.

The detailed guidelines envisaged "voluntary" migration of the existing Basic and Cellular Service Providers to UAS regime, one of DoT's communication said.

"The Government has already taken a decision that since the entry fee was non-refundable there is no case for any refund of entry fee as well as any compensation for change of policy which is a prerogative of the Government", it added.

'Sensitive matter'

However, the department considers this as "sensitive matter" which may have a snowballing effect.

It may lead to similar other court cases whereby the Government may have to return the operators huge amounts as compensation in case the petition succeeds. (PTI)

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