NEW DELHI: Multisystem operator Dream Entertainment of Bihar has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to pay to MSM Discovery Pvt Ltd sums of Rs l,31,399 and Rs 4,11,001 respectively as clearance of arrears.
Chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava also directed the MSO to pay interest @ 18percent from 1January 2014 to 16 April 2015, the date of deactivation of signals and @ 9 percent from 17 July 2015, the date of filing of the petition before the tribunal, till the date of realization.
It said that the case of MSM was fully supported by oral and documentary evidences that remain completely unchallenged and uncontroverted before the tribunal as the MSO did not appear.
According to MSM, it had entered into a subscription agreement with the MSO on 3 June 2014 for retransmission of its TV channels in the town of Begusarai on payment of the fixed amount of Rs 78,320 (exclusive of taxes) as monthly subscription charges. The subscription agreement was for the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014. It had entered into another subscription agreement with the MSO on10 October 2014 for retransmission of its TV channels in the town of Begusarai on payment of the fixed amount of Rs.64,670 (exclusive of taxes) as monthly subscription charges. The subscription agreement was for the period 1 April 2014 to 30 April 2015.
MSM said the MSO was irregular in payment of its monthly subscription fee, it defaulted on the monthlypayments and as a result arrears of subscription fees amounting to Rs 5,42,009 became due from it as on 16 April 2015. The respondent did not pay its dues despite repeated reminders and so MSM issued a notice on 23 January.2015 and a public notice in local newspapers remained unanswered. MSM deactivated its signals to the respondent on 16 April 2015 and filed the petition after sending a legal notice to the MSO.