A Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) bench, headed by TDSAT chairman Justice S.B. Sinha, has asked new operator Uninor to pay Rs 90 million to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) within two weeks as penalty for failing to roll-out services within the stipulated period.
The TDSAT said that the issue of delays in obtaining start up spectrum from the Standing Advisory Committee for Frequency Allocation, raised by Uninor will be looked into by the bench. Further, the TDSAT rejected DoT’s stand and added that the government should have provided Uninor with the opportunity to voice its opinion before demanding liquidated damages.
In a statement issued thereafter, Uninor said the company welcomed the TDSAT’s interim orer that acknowledged the merit of their arguments.
In so far, Uninor has paid Rs 131 million for four circles and it has yet to pay approximately Rs 155 million for six other circles.
