TDSAT directs DoT, MIB to furnish status report about Independent TV in four weeks

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed the department and telecom (DoT) and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to file a status report with respect to direct to home (DTH) operator Independent TV in four weeks.

The tribunal has permitted the impleadment of DoT and MIB in the matter between Independent TV and Antrix Corporation. The DTH operator had moved TDSAT following the disconnection of transponder service by Antrix.

The addition of both the departments is now in addition to UOI, which is already a party respondent.

Antrix counsel submitted that the DTH operator should file a status report as indicated in the last order dated 16 July so that this tribunal may be able to know all developments between the petitioner and the concerned departments in respect of licence/ NOC from MIB and DoT respectively.

“Both the newly added departments (DoT and MoIB) are expected to file their status report in respect of petitioner’s prayer pending in those departments within four weeks. Petitioner should also file the status report giving all the details within the same time,” the tribunal said in its order.

In this connection, the Antrix counsel produced a copy of a letter dated 15 May received by the organisation from DoT pointing out that till the month of May 2018, there were clear issues.

Learned counsel for Department of Space (DoS) submitted that DoT is not a party to this petition although it appears that NOC will be required from DoT.

The counsel further stated that the DTH operator has to decide whether, in the facts of the case, it would like to implead DoT and MoIB or not.

Since the DTH operator opted to do so, it is permitted to file an amended memo of parties showing DoT and MIB as party respondents.

Since DoS counsel Abhay Sahay was present, the tribunal asked him to inform both the departments of this development so that they may give instructions to Sahay or any other counsel as per their choice by the next date.

For that purpose, it asked Independent TV to furnish two more copies of the petition to Sahay within a week.

The tribunal also said that the interim order dated 16 July to the effect that interim arrangement under the orders of this Tribunal shall continue until further orders. The matter has been posted under the same head on 27 November.