SC orders GP, Robi, Banglalink to pay Tk 2500 crore

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Grameenphone , Robi and Banglalink to pay dues of Tk 2500 crore as their spectrum acquisition fee including VAT to the government, National Board of Revenue and Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order after rejecting their petition challenging the High Court order that had rejected their writ petition against imposing VAT (value added tax) on spectrum acquisition fee.

Of the total amount, Grameenphone has been asked to pay Tk 1,400 crore, Robi Tk 500 crore and Banglalink Tk 650 crore.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state while Barrister Reza-e-Rakib and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan stood for BTRC and mobile companies, respectively.

Talking to reporters, Attorney General Amin said the government has allocated spectrum for the three mobile operators and fixed charges on it. VAT (value added tax) was also added later by the government on the spectrum fee.

The three mobile operators filed a writ petition challenging the VAT which was rejected by the High Court.

Later, they filed petitions to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the High court order which was also rejected, he said. 

Now, NBR and BTRC will realise the money as dues including charges and VAT from the three mobile operators.