NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 1,519,359,156 including Rs 518,721,901 as interest was owed by 649 companies and producers against advertising to various kendras of Doordarshan until 31 December 2015, Parliament has been informed.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said a total of 83 cases are pending in courts, arbitration and out of court settlement. In this matter, the principal amount involved is Rs 269.97 crore and the interest is Rs 308.68 crore.

A total of six cases where the arbitrator gave decisions for amounts totaling Rs 341.352,850 are under challenge in various courts and are pending. In such cases, Interest amounting to Rs 241,132,488 has already been computed as at present.

Interestingly, there is no amount pending against All India Radio.