The Telecom Disputes and Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has told the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) that it expects it to act with expedition if Horizon Satellite Services Pvt. Ltd supplies the required two materials within one week.
Horizon Satellite had in August moved TDSAT against MIB for change of name of its license. The company had submitted an application for change of name and logo and for taking on record information as to change of Directors.
The ministry submitted that after the disposal of the earlier petition directing that the companies applications should be considered and decided by MIB in accordance with the law and without any unnecessary delay, a letter was sent to the broadcaster seeking certain details and documents.
Horizon replied and submitted some details, but thereafter it rushed to file the present petition. The ministry further submitted that through a letter the broadcaster was informed about shortcomings in respect of required affidavit and non-submission of an undertaking along with an explanation as to why its channel appears to be non-operational.
Horizon through its reply supplied the required affidavit but as per the instructions the required undertaking is still wanting and there is no explanation offered in respect of channels appearing to be non-operational. In view of aforesaid facts, learned counsel for MIB submits that there has been no unnecessary delay in the disposal of the broadcaster’s applications.
The tribunal said that it was not fully satisfied that the ministry has acted with the due expedition. It granted a last opportunity to the broadcaster to furnish the undertaking as well as the explanation for channel appearing to be non-operational within one week from today.
If any further new ground of objection is to be raised by MIB, for that material should be brought to the notice of this Tribunal. Once the petitioner supplies the aforesaid two materials within one week, we expect the respondent to act with expedition. The tribunal directed MIB to dispose of the applications which are pending since the end of April 2019 within six weeks. It directed MIB to communicate the decision to the broadcaster and also to the notice of this Tribunal.
