Dish TV gets notice of ₹4,164 crore from govt for licence fee

Dish TV, the popular direct-to-home operator, on Friday said that it has received a notice from the government for payment of ₹4,164.05 crore for licence fee. “… we would like to inform that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vide its communication dated December 24, 2020, has intimated the company that basis the accounts of the Company and payment made by the Company towards license fee from the period from the date of issuance of DTH License till Financial Year 2018-19, an amount of ₹4,164.05 crores is payable by the company,” the company said in a regulatory filing.

The company said that Union ministry had provided 15 days to remit the amount. The amount includes the license fee payable and accrued interest thereon, it added.

“However, the ministry of information and broadcasting has in its said letter, also mentioned that the amount is further subject to verification and audit and the outcome of various court cases pending before the Hon’ble TDSAT, the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir at Jammu and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in the matter of DTH License fee,” the operator mentioned in its clarification.