SC rejects plea by telecom operators seeking more time to settle AGR dues

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea by incumbent telecom operators seeking more time to settle Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues and has asked the companies to deposit dues by March 17. It will also begin contempt petition against the operators for not paying the dues totalling Rs 1.47 lakh crore.

The apex court also directed the telecom companies to pay a “sizeable” amount of their statutory dues on Friday, while it also asked why they were not abiding by the court order to pay AGR dues.

The Supreme Court’s three-judge panel, headed by Arun Mishra, was hearing fresh petitions filed by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices.