The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has stayed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited?s (BSNL) around Rs 2 billion access deficit charge (ADC) demand on Reliance Communications (RCOM) for 20 circles, say news reports.
TDSAT, headed by chairman Justice S.B. Sinha, in its interim order has also directed BSNL not to disconnect RCOM’s point of interconnect (PoI) until its further order.
The tribunal?s direction came over a plea of RCOM, which has challenged a demand note issued by BSNL asking it to deposit around Rs 2 billion, including interest, for 20 circles as ADC.
BSNL had also threatened to disconnect its PoI if RCOM failed to meet the payment demand. The time period for the payment of ADC along with interest is to expire today. BSNL has raised the bill for the period before November, 2004, and after August, 2005.
BSNL has raised different amounts for various circles as ADC on RCOM. BSNL has raised bills for Navi Mumbai, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karanataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, Chennai, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Punjab, Gujarat, Orissa, UP West, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. For the Delhi circle alone, it has raised a bill of Rs 640 million.
Earlier, in response to RCOM’s petition, TDSAT had as an interim measure directed the company to pay the entire amount claimed as principal by BSNL. Subsequently, RCOM had approached Delhi High Court against the order, based on which it was directed to contest the case afresh before the tribunal.
The tribunal has posted the matter for further hearing on March 28, 2011.
