AGR dues: Govt asks Airtel, Vodafone Idea, others to pay balance without delays, say sources

The government on Wednesday asked Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and other telecom companies to pay remaining AGR dues as per the Supreme Court order without further delay, according to sources. The telecom department wrote to all telcos asking them to pay balance dues “without delay” and submit detailed bifurcation of payments (explanation of self-assessed amounts), which it said are necessary for proper reconciliation of legitimate AGR dues. The government has so far received about Rs 26,000 crore from AGR payments, including adhoc/ buffer amounts given by telcos to meet any reconciliation differences with the telecom department.

However, the amounts paid by telcos is woefully lower than the DoT’s Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) calculations, prompting the telecom department’s latest move. Sources privy to the development said that as the amount paid by telcos is based on their own self-assessment, the department has asked them to explain how they have arrived at the said calculation, and pay the balance amounts. They said the letter was not in nature of a ‘threat’ but rather seeking an explanation for the basis of companies’ calculations and asking for remaining statutory payments.