View: Try sale and lease back for spectrum

The government is reported to be considering various ways to offer relief to the stressed telecom sector, in particular to Vodafone Idea (Vi), which stares at an existential crisis, given its gargantuan dues, primarily to the government, and unwillingness on the part of its biggest shareholders to invest any further in the operation.

The desire to offer relief to the sector is welcome, but staggering the dues arising from delayed payment of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) shares over 20 years, instead of 10, is likely to prove inadequate. The government has to think more creatively.