DoT Directs Officials Not To Act Against Telecom Companies On AGR Non-Payment

The Licensing Finance Policy Wing of the telecom department on Thursday directed all departments concerned to not take any coercive action against telecom operators if they fail to clear additional gross revenue dues until further orders by the Supreme Court of India.

The Director of Licensing Finance Policy Wing has issued direction that concerned departments should not take any coercive action against the licensees in case they fail to comply with the Supreme Court order, until further orders, an official source told PTI.

The direction has been issued following approval of the member finance, who heads all DoT departments that deal in matters related to revenue.

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have communicated to the telecom department that they will not pay AGR dues of Rs 88,624 crore, the deadline for which ends on Thursday, and will wait for the outcome of modification petition listed for hearing before the Supreme Court next week, according to official sources.

The apex court has set Jan. 23 as the deadline to pay AGR dues.—Bloomberg Quint