Robi pays Tk 27.60 crore of BTRC’s audit claims

Robi Axiata Limited, country's second largest mobile phone operator, has paid Tk 27.60 crore to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) as the first installment of Tk 138 crore of the dues as directed by the High Court.

The mobile phone company deposited the money on Tuesday, BTRC Senior assistant director Zakir Hossain Khan told UNB.

Robi has Tk 867.23 crore in dues to the government, including Tk 197.21 crore to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and GP has Tk 12,579.95 crore, including Tk 4,085.95 crore to the NBR, as per a BTRC audit. 

On January 5 last, the High Court asked Robi to pay within five months Tk 138 crore.

The court also asked the mobile phone operator to pay the first installment within January 30.

On July 31 last year, the BTRC issued a letter to Robi demanding payment of Tk 867.23 crore dues.

On August 25, 2019, Robi filed a case against the payment demand with a lower court and sought temporary injunction on the BTRC's letter which was turned down.

On September 5, 2019, the telecom regulator issued show-cause notices to Robi and Grameenphone seeking explanation as to why their 2G and 3G licences should not be revoked for failure to pay dues within 30 days.

Robi then filed an appeal with the High Court on October 22, last year seeking a temporary injunction on the BTRC's letter seeking money.

On November 24 last, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court asked Grameenphone to pay within three months Tk 2,000 crore of the Tk 12,579.95 crore dues as claimed by the BTRC.

However, the leading mobile phone operator is yet to deposit any money.