Bombay HC to hear Trai broadcaster case on 30 January

NEW DELHI : The Bombay high court has not passed an interim order in the case relating to the television broadcasters’ petition challenging the amended new tariff order (NTO) of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). The court, which will hear the matter again on 30 January, has granted leave for the broadcasters to file a rejoinder to the response that the regulator was supposed to provide to the petition by 20 January.

The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) had moved the Bombay High Court against Trai’s amended new tariff order (NTO), first issued in December 2018 and implemented in February 2019. Meanwhile, the telecom regulator has filed caveats in all major high courts against issuing a stay without hearing what it has to say in the matter.

According to NTO 2019, consumers could choose the TV channels they want to watch and pay only for them at maximum retail prices (MRPs) set by broadcasters, instead of the pre-set bouquets offered earlier.