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GP pays BTRC Tk 1000cr, finally


Published : 23 Feb 2020 08:57 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 09:19 PM

Grameenphone (GP) Sunday handed over a Tk 1000 crore cheque to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), in accordance with the order of the Appellate Division passed in response to a review petition of the leading telecom operator on Thursday last. Hossain Sadat, director and head of regulatory affairs of GP handed over the cheque to BTRC chairman Zahurul Haque at BTRC office in the capital.

Zahurul Haque thanked the mobile operator for abiding by the court order, saying, “There was a misunderstanding between BTRC and GP. It is a matter of joy that finally they have been able to come out of misconception.” Earlier, the Appellate Division on February 20, ordered GP to pay Tk 1,000 crore to BTRC within February 24. A seven-member appellate bench led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain issued the order. On November 24, 2020, the Appellate Division asked GP to pay Tk 2,000 crore of the Tk 12,579.95 crore dues claimed by BTRC within three months. The deadline will expire on February 23.

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 April 2 last year. But GP moved the court seeking a temporary injunction on the notice which was turned down on August 28 that year. The mobile operator later filed an appeal with the High Court. On October 17, the High Court imposed a two-month injunction on realisation of dues from GP. BTRC later moved the Appellate Division against the order.