BTRC forcing GP to pay illegal audit claim: GP CEO

Grameenphone today alleged that the telecom regulatory commission is forcing the mobile operator to pay an “illegal audit claim of Tk 12,579.95 crore wrongfully, saying that it is public money.”

Talking to a group of journalists at a city restaurant, Chief Executive Officer of the market leader carrier Michael Patrick Foley said Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s principal claim is Tk 2,300 crore and that the audit is also run through an incorrect process.

“BTRC is trying to collect money, that doesn’t belong to them, by intimidating us with unwarranted measures,” Foley said.

Hinting to go the international court, Foley said they have full respect on the country’s judiciary system and hope to get proper judgment on the matter. However, from the management position he cannot say anything what shareholders will do if they are not satisfied with the judgment, Foley said.

Grameenpone CEO’s comments come following a claim of Tk 12,579.95 crore for revenue share, taxes, and late fees accumulated to the market leader that the telecom regulator has run in 2016.

Grameenpone top brass said they are interested to settle the matter out of the court and willing to show the respect to the decisions taken at the meeting with Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy on October 21.

But the telecom regulator did not comply with Joy’s directive, said Foley.

At that meeting, a decision was made that Grameenphone will have to deposit Tk 200 crore in BTRC’s account to review the audit report by a review committee and no case proceeding will move forward, he said.

Hossain Sadat, head of regulatory affairs and acting head of communications at Grameenpone was also present at that time.