Independent TV's service remains unavailable due to failure of payment to Antrix

Independent TV's service remains unavailable due to failure of payment to Antrix

TDSAT had directed Independent TV to pay up to Rs 12 crore for re-transmission

Independent TV

MUMBAI: The service of troubled DTH operator Independent TV still remains unavailable as it has neither made the required payment nor furnished the bank guarantee to Antrix Corporation for reconnection of signals.

The DTH operator’s signals were disconnected by Antrix on 12 June due to non-payment of outstanding dues. While Independent TV had filed an application before the tribunal to direct Antrix to resume supply of signals, TDSAT had directed Independent TV to pay up to Rs 12 crore in order to get signals reconnected by Antrix Corporation.

The DTH operator was directed by TDSAT to pay Rs 5.83 crore along with a bank guarantee of Rs 6 crore or furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 12 crore valid for at least two months for the restoration of transponder service.

“Since the petitioner has not been able to make the required payments or furnishing the bank guarantee, as indicated in the last order passed on 2.7.2019, the resumption of supply of signals has not happened. Petitioner should make the payments at the earliest,” TDSAT said in its order on Thursday.

Moreover, the interim renewal of DTH licence to the operator has been suspended by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the present and would be reconsidered only on the basis of retransmission of channels.