Budget should give clarity in levies for telecom industry: ICRA

New Delhi: The telecom industry has been seeking financial incentives from the government, reduction in levies and clarity on pending issues to ease the financial burden on the already stressed sector, according to ratings firm ICRA.

The industry has been demanding a reduction in the overall charges paid by the operators mainly licence fee and spectrum usage charges, ICRA said in a pre-budget expectation note on Monday.

“The industry is also looking forward for a resolution on pending issues like clarity on levy of service tax on spectrum acquired in auctions prior to October 2016, one-time spectrum charges, resolution of retrospective taxation matters rebate on levy of withholding tax on mobile SIM distributors, and release of GST input credit dues,” ICRA said.