The Telecom Dispute and Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Thursday disposed of Jain Studio’s plea challenging I&B Ministry’s decision to revoke its license.
Orders passed by the tribunal in May and July disclosed that the broadcaster had to pay the admitted annual permission fee for the period 4.1.2014 to 18.10.2018 when the permission was revoked. It was also required to satisfy the I&B Ministry about its networth by making appropriate prayers and approaching the MIB under liberty granted by this Tribunal.
Learned counsel for the broadcaster submitted that is not in a position to pay even the admitted dues of fee and it could not approach the MIB because the concerned employee has resigned from the service of the petitioner company.
TDSAT had earlier indicated that if it was interested in pursuing this petition, it should take care of the arrears without any delay.
The court noted “In view of the aforesaid stand of the petitioner, which the learned counsel has presented on instructions, we find that it would be unjust and unreasonable to issue any direction upon the respondent when even the admitted arrears of fees have remained unpaid. Hence, the petition is disposed of. As and when the petitioner is in a position to pay the admitted dues, it can do so and approach the respondent for reliefs. This order is without prejudice to the rights of the respondent.”
The broadcaster had earlier admitted in an affidavit that the annual permission fee is payable from 4.1.2014 to 18.10.2018 when the permission was revoked. It was willing to pay the aforesaid fee and was also willing to satisfy that its networth has always remained above the required figures but an erroneous impression to the contrary has been created because of some typographical error in submitting one year’s statement of accounts to the ROC.
TDSAT had earlier granted liberty to Jain Studios to approach MIB with a reasonable prayer which shall be considered by MIB in accordance with the law and dispose of within six weeks from the date of receipt of such request.
Jain Studios runs Jain TV. MIB had last year cancelled its license for the non-payment of annual permission fees. The broadcaster had in March moved TDSAT against the order.
