Manoranjan Grand gets interim relief to pay the 3rd installment to Prasar Bharati till 25 June

Manoranjan Grand, part of Manoranjan Group has been granted interim relief by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to the pay the 3rd installment to Prasar Bharati by 25th June which was due last month. Shopping Bazaar Pvt Ltd, the holding company of Manoranjan Ground had last week moved TDSAT against Prasar Bharati for disconnection of signals.

The FTA broadcaster has paid the due installments for two of its channel i.e Manoranjan TV and Manoranjan Movies which are airing on DD Free Dish, however it is in some financial difficulty to pay the installment for the 3rd channel – Manoranjan Grand.

Manoranjan Group requested Prasar Bharati to give more time for payment towards the channel and not initiate any disconnection. It submitted to the tribunal that its participation fee of Rs 4.5 crores for all the three channels were with Prasar Bharati and requested for more time specially as account of the adverse effect of pandemic COVID-19.

Prasar Bharati however opposed the plea stating that there were two schemes already offered to the broadcaster as a way of relief of account of COVID-19. It said that there was no need of indulgence.

The tribunal however considering the plea of financial hardship because of the pandemic has allowed Manoranjan Grand’s interim relief to have more some time to pay the 3rd installment which has fallen due for Manoranjan Grand. It noted that Prasar Bharati had the participation fee with it if there was a default calling for drastic caution.

The tribunal has ordered that no coercive action be taken against the broadcaster if the due installment is paid on or before 25th June.