DoT directs telcos to pay AGR dues 'immediately'

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SME Times News Bureau | 14 Feb, 2020
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Friday directed all telecom licensees to make immediate payment of duies in compliance with the Supreme Court order of October 24 last year.

The DoT'S Licensing Finance wing, in a letter to the telcos, said: "This office letter from LFP of January 23, 2020 stands withdrawn with immediate effect. It is directed to take immediate necessary action in compliance with the judgement of October 24, 2019 of the Supreme Court."

As per the DoT calculations, Airtel has to pay Rs 35,500 crore, Vodafone Idea has to pay Rs 53,000 crore and Tata Teleservices has to pay a little over Rs 12,500 crore.

Telcos owe Rs 1.47 lakh crore to DoT on account of pending AGR.

DoT on Friday withdrew its earlier directions granting protection from coercive action to defaulting telecom companies after the Supreme Court, earlier in the same day, took a strong view of non-compliance of its order on payment of statutory dues, and DoT's letter to telcos.

The Supreme Court has also directed the Managing Directors and Directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order.