Airtel, Tata Teleservices yet to get govt nod for merger

NEW DELHI: Airtel and Tata Teleservices have failed to receive a nod from the government for their much-awaited merger. Clearance will now spill over into the next year, as the companies will have to clear AGR dues — as mandated by the Supreme Court — before joining hands.

Sources said the companies are now working overtime to do self-assessment of their AGR dues, as demanded by the department of telecom (DoT), while also planning to petition the government to approve the merger as early as possible. “The merger was originally slated to be completed by July this year. However, due to procedural aspects with DoT earlier and now due to AGR dues mandated by the top court, we have failed to complete the process,” a senior functionary in one of the companies told TOI.