AGR payout: Vodafone Idea seeks host of concessions

As the government struggles to resolve the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) crisis, Vodafone Idea, the most badly hit company by the Supreme Court order on the matter, has written to the department of telecommunications (DoT) enumerating a list of sops it would need to stay afloat.

According to sources, the company has sought a moratorium of three years for the balance AGR-related dues, after which it can make payments spread over a 15-year period. The company has so far paid `3,500 crore against dues of Rs 53,039 crore as calculated by DoT. Vodafone Idea’s own calculation of the dues stands at around Rs 23,000 crore.

Since the apex court has refused any concession to the telecom operators in terms of staggered payment of the dues, it remains to be seen how the DoT handles Vodafone Idea’s demand.