(2 June 2008 2:30 pm)

NEW DELHI: The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Commission refused to grant Tata Sky any interim relief while issuing notice to Dish TV. Tata Sky had filed a complaint against Dish TV alleging monopolistic practices for offering free set-top boxes (STBs).

Tata Sky told the Commission that rival Dish TV had not only brought down its STB price to Zero, but is misleading the consumer as it is also charging two rental rates under two different schemes while advertising only the free STB offer.

Tata Sky, trying to illustrate the damage caused to it, told the Commission that after the rival’s free STB offer, the latter’s sales have doubled, and presented the Commission with a graph.

Dish TV counsel argued that it was offering two other schemes independent of the free STB offer, for the latter is given on the condition that the consumer pays 12 months of bouquet charges in advance at the time of opting for the free scheme offer.

It said that the two other schemes are for consumers who are not willing or able to go for advance payment.

Additionally, Dish TV argued that two days prior to the Tata Sky complaint, a Gujarat-based consumer NGO had filed a similar petition, in which case too the Commission had not granted any relief.

Dish TV pointed out that in that complaint, the language as well as the counsels, were the same as in the Tata Sky complaint. Dish TV alleged before the Commission that Tata Sky was attempting to derail the process of justice, and hence no relief should be granted.

The Commission, on hearing both the sides, issued notice to Dish TV, but refused to grant any interim relief to Tata Sky.