Bangladesh High Court orders Robi to settle BDT 1.38 billion dispute with BTRC

News Wireless Bangladesh 7 JAN 2020
Bangladesh High Court orders Robi to settle BDT 1.38 billion dispute with BTRC
The Bangladesh High Court has ordered Robi Axiata to settle Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission's BDT 1.38 billion audit claim in five installments, local newspaper Dhaka Tribune reports, citing BTRC's lawyer Barrister Khandakar Reza-E Raquib. Back in July 2019, BTRC issued a letter to Robi demanding payment of BDT 8.67 billion.

In August last year, Robi filed a lawsuit against BTRC’s payment demands with a lower court and sought temporary injunction on the regulator’s decision. The court rejected Robi’s claims. Robi filed an appeal with the High Court in October 2019, seeking a temporary injunction against the BTRC’s letter seeking payment.

BTRC claims Robi owes BDT 8.67 billion to the government, including BDT 1.97 billion to the National Board of Revenue. In September 2019, the regulator urged Robi and Grameenphone to explain why their 2G and 3G licenses should not be revoked for failure to pay dues within 30 days.

At end-2019, the Bangladesh government announced plans to resolve the disputes with Grameenphone and Robi over the unpaid taxes and fees. Finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said at a press briefing in September 2019 that the two companies agreed to withdraw their lawsuits and enter into talks on a settlement. The regulator BTRC then announced it would also withdraw the show-cause notices against the companies. 



Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

GrameenPhone,  Axiata,  Robi,  Robi Axiata

Countries:

Bangladesh

Tags:

Wholesale, Legislation - Lawsuits

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