New Delhil: State-owned telecom firm BSNL will approach National Company Law Tribunal this week to recover dues of about Rs 700 crore from Reliance Communications, according to official sources. Fresh move may build pressure on RCom which is already struggling to pay Ericsson’s dues of Rs 453 crore out of Rs 550 crore under a settlement reached between the two firms before NCLAT pursuant to orders of Supreme Court.
“BSNL has aready invoked bank guarantee of around Rs 100 crore submitted by RCom for default on payments. Decision was taken on January 4 by BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava to start legal proceedings against RCom for recovery of dues of around Rs 700 crore,” the sources told PTI. BSNL has roped Singh and Kohli law firm for the suit. The case filing got delayed due to collection of invoices from all circle offices.
Earlier, debt-ridden RCom in its plea before the NCLAT had said that it wants to voluntarily go back into the insolvency process, as it will help selling its assets in a time bound manner. RCom had moved the appellate tribunal, seeking directions to the 37 lenders led by SBI to release Rs 260 crore directly to Ericsson.
However, lenders of RCom have opposed the plea, saying that it will lead to outgo of public money for settling payment of a private party. The Supreme Court has given time till March 19 to RCom Group to make payment to Ericsson, failing which its chairman Anil Ambani will have to serve three month jail term.
The NCLAT on Friday declined to issue any direction to SBI to release Rs 260 crore which the company has received as income tax refund in trust and retentionship account and has asked for update on development with regard to payment of Ericsson due on March 19.
