NGO strikes SC, opposes Voda Idea plea searching for correction in AGR dues calculations

Sewa Shram Shakti Foundation, a non governmental organisation, has moved the Supreme Court opposing Vodafone Idea’s (Vi) plea to make clear “errors” in adjusted gross income (AGR) dues. The basis mentioned Vi’s plea was “baseless”, “frivolous” makes an attempt to overturn the sooner orders of the apex courtroom and there was ample time given to the telco to right any discrepancies within the calculations.

“Despite clear directions from this …court these TSPs are trying to start another round of litigation in gross contempt of this…court. In this manner they feel that the orders of the Supreme Court can be taken for a ride and multiple rounds of litigation can be started to avoid payments by misusing judicial process,” mentioned the petition requesting intervention in Vi’s enchantment and the latter’s dismissal.

Vi has appealed to the highest courtroom to permit the federal government to contemplate the telco’s submissions on the calculation errors and rectify them accordingly. Vi has to pay Rs 58,400 crore in AGR dues, of which it has paid Rs 7,854 crore. The telco had self-assessed its dues at Rs 21,533 crore, which the highest courtroom had earlier rejected.

The non governmental organisation alleges that the telco had ample time to focus on these “errors” to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and its newest appeals are “frivolous attempts to overturn the orders of this… court “.

It mentioned that DoT “carefully examines” the correctness of the AGR statements, deductions and telcos at each stage of evaluation have the chance to symbolize themselves . “… Vodafone Idea, had enough opportunities before them to make their representation, which have already been considered by the DoT…These applicants had been given sufficient opportunity to rectify any arithmetical error,” it added.

Vi had highlighted varied errors which included the division not accounting Vi’s earlier funds, double counting of income gadgets, deductions not given of entry and roaming prices that have been made by Vi to the opposite telcos.

Vi shouldn’t be the one telco to level out DoT’s errors . Bharti Airtel and Tata Teleservices (TTSL) have accomplished the identical.

Airtel has hunted for a modification, clarification or recall of “mistaken orders” that allowed the federal government to demand Rs 43,980 crore as AGR dues in opposition to the telco’s calculation of Rs 13,004 crore. TTSL , which has AGR dues of Rs 16,798 crore and has paid Rs 4,197 crore has moved SC on related grounds.

The Foundation additionally added that DoT had previously “acted in the most non-transparent manner ” and supported the TSPs, particularly Airtel and Vi who have been required to pay an enormous quantity to the Government of India as AGR.

“It is submitted that when a State Entity/Department connives with private companies to deprive the Government of India revenue payable to it, public confidence is shaken and hence the Applicant herein in public interest is constrained to prefer the present application for intervention with a prayer to be permitted to make submissions during the hearing, so as to oppose a such connivance which otherwise can cause huge loss of public money which will be detrimental and violation of the citizens fundamental rights under the Constitution,” it added. The Greater India Network