Regulator asks Banglalink to clear Tk 823cr dues
The telecom regulator has instructed Banglalink to clear dues worth around Tk 823 crore after carrying out an audit into the mobile phone operator for the period from 1996 to 2019.
Of the amount, Tk 393 crore has been sought as VAT, tax and fees, outstanding dues related to revenue-sharing, handset royalty, access frequency and microwave frequency payments, and licence fees, according to a letter from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
The rest, or Tk 430 crore, was claimed as late fees.
Shyam Sunder Sikder, chairman of the BTRC, confirmed the matter to The Daily Star.
"We have initiated the audit to ensure transparency and collect the fair share of the government revenue," he said.
In August 2021, the BTRC assigned Masih Muhith Haque & Co and ANB Solution Pvt Ltd to audit Banglalink for the period from November 1996 to December 2019. The audit was finalised in April this year.
The operator has been asked to make the payments in 10 days.
Banglalink has sought three weeks to respond to the BTRC letter and said it has some disagreements about the findings of the audit but the differences could be resolved through talks.
"Banglalink always strives to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations of the country," said Banglalink's Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman.
"We welcome the audit initiative of the BTRC and extended full cooperation and support to ensure a proper audit. We have now received the audit report."
"Though we have different opinions regarding the findings, we believe that through constructive discussion with the BTRC, we will reach a fair solution," said Rahman.
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