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Siticable resumes inadvertently disconnected signals to Bhopal LCOs
NEW DELHI: Siticable Networks has apprised the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) that it had resumed signals, which were inadvertently disconnected, to 119 local cable operators (LCOs) from Bhopal.
Siticable Networks counsel Tejveer Singh Bhatia assured the Tribunal that the supply had been resumed.
The Tribunal had two days earlier directed Siticable Networks not to disconnect the supply of signals to 119 cable operators represented by the Bhopal Cable Operators’ Association.
TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and BB Srivastava had passed the order after a statement made by the LCO association’s counsel Nittin Bhatia that all due payments had been made.
Bhatia had said the LCOs have made up-to-date payments as per the invoices issued by Siticable and continue to make payment at the rate at which invoices of June 2015 was issued.
Bhatia told the Tribunal that he had the authorisation from 67 cable operators but would get these from the remaining 52 operators within a week.
The Tribunal had said the status of any cable operator who is in dues will be determined on the basis of reconciliation of accounts and dues if any would be cleared within two weeks from the ascertainment of the said amount.
The Tribunal had also said that the parties would be well advised to resolve their disputes through the process of mediation and directed both sides to appear before the Mediation Centre on 7 September.
As was previously reported by Indiantelevision.com, the primary grievance of the Association was that the respondent was unilaterally and steadily increasing the monthly subscription fees payable by them. According to Bhatia, the cable operators paid the monthly subscription at the rate of Rs 30 per STB up to March 2013 and thereafter at Rs 60 per STB. Now the invoices being raised by the respondent are at the rate of Rs 83.11 (excluding taxes) for the package of channels supplied by it.
