TDSAT gives final extension to DoT for reply on Etisalat plea

The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) today asked Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to reply to a contempt petition for not complying with its order to decide on the merger of licences of Allianz Infratech with Etisalat DB Telecom, previously known as Swan Telecom.

The tribunal also said that it would grant no further extension to the Department of Telecom and directed it to reply within 10 days on the petition filed by Etisalat.

On July 4, TDSAT had asked DoT to take a decision over the transfer of licence of Allianz Infratech to Etisalat within a month.

Etisalat had merged with Allianz, which has the licence for Bihar and Madhya Pradesh circles. Following it, an application was moved in DoT to transfer the licence to Etisalat DB.

However, no such decision was taken within the time-frame given by TDSAT and in September DoT moved an application in the tribunal seeking one month's extension, which was given.

Failing to get the reply, on October 31, Etisalat DB -- a joint venture between UAE-based telecom major Etisalat and DB Realty -- filed a contempt petition before the tribunal asking as to why its application was not allowed despite TDSAT's direction.

After that the tribunal asked DoT to file a reply on it, which has been not filed yet. Following it, the tribunal today asked the DoT to file its reply within 10 days.

During the proceedings, counsel appearing for DoT informed TDSAT that there were difficulties as the files are with the Ministry of Law and Justice.

He further requested the tribunal to grant some more time as still the opinion of the Attorney General was awaited on the issue.

The tribunal has directed to list the matter on December 22 for next hearing.