A PIL has been filed in Delhi High Court seeking directions the telecom companies and Internet Service Providers to not charge any amount from businesses or households closed during the lockdown due to the outbreak of pandemic COVID-19.
The PIL filed by Mr. S.K. Sharma seeking directions that the amount received from such unused may be transferred to Prime Minister’s initiated relief fund for the collective fight against the COVID-19.
The petition filed through Advocate Amit Sahni stated, “The shops/offices/ business houses/factories and almost all commercial establishments remained closed to abide by the dictates of the government to maintain social distancing during the period of lockdown.”
The petition further sought directions for the government to refrain from charging GST on such bills during the lockdown period.
The petitioner had also made a representation to the telecom companies and ISPs to waive the bills of offices, shops, business houses, etc. that remains closed during the said period.
The petition also stated that the epidemic has affected every citizen and each one of them wishes to contribute their part for the fight against COVID-19, hence suggested that the amount so charged by the companies against the unused services may be directly sent to the PM CARES relief fund.
-India Legal Bureau