Grameenphone decides to pay Tk 10b to BTRC

Grameenphone
Grameenphone

Private mobile operator Grameenphone (GP) on Friday said it will deposit Tk 10 billion to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on 23 Feb as ordered by the apex court, reports UNB.

GP made the announcement in a media statement on Friday, a day after the Appellate Division ordered it to pay the amount within 24 Feb.

The operator said it "looks forward to getting court protection from the pressure BTRC has applied to the company and its management".

On 24 November last year, the Appellate Division asked GP to pay Tk 20 billion of the Tk 125.80 billion dues claimed by BTRC within three months. The deadline will expire on 23 February.

BTRC claimed the dues in 27 sectors from the mobile operator but failed to recover the money. Later, BTRC sent a notice to GP threatening to revoke its licence on 2 April last year.

GP had sought a temporary injunction on the notice which was turned down by the court on 28 August that year. The mobile operator later filed an appeal with the High Court. On 17 October, the court imposed a two-month injunction on realisation of dues from GP. BTRC later moved the Appellate Division against the order.

GP said BTRC had acted to restrict its operations through moves that had negative impact on customer experience and business partners, reduced confidence in the business environment and dented interest from investors.

The operator said it "reiterates that the company disputes the validity of the BTRC audit claim".

It said that complying with the court's direction, GP expects that business operations will run without further obstacles.