NEW DELHI: Accepting the request of GSM operators' body COAI, the telecom tribunal TDSAT

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on Monday impleaded it in the petition filed by state-run BSNL challenging removal of Access Deficit Charge (ADC).

During the proceedings, a bench headed By Justice Arun Kumar admitted the application filed by the Cellular Operators Association of India.

BSNL, in its petition filed in May, had challenged TRAI's decision to abolish ADC from 2008-09. For the financial year 2007-08, TRAI had reduced ADC by 37 per cent to Rs 2,000 crore from Rs 3,200 crore.

ADC is a levy paid by private telecom operators to BSNL for meeting the cost of its unprofitable operations in rural areas.

On July 9, 2007, TDSAT had not admitted COAI's application in absence of some documents and had directed the association to file application along with the reply of main petition filed by BSNL.

In this matter, COAI rival CDMA lobby group AUSPI and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had already submitted its reply.

The Telecom Disputes and Settlement and Appellate Tribunal also granted BSNL three weeks time to file rejoinder over the reply filed by them.

The tribunal has directed to list this matter on October 22 along with two other similar petition filed by BSNL challenging reduction ADC for 2006-07 and 2007-08.