DoT notice asks telcos to comply with sc order

NEW DELHI: THE Department of Telecom (DoT) on Wednesday shot off notices to telecom operators asking them to self-assess pending dues, make payment and file requisite documents within the timeframe stipulated by the Supreme Court. The SC, on October 24, had ruled that adjusted gross revenue (AGR) also included non-telecom receipts and directed telcos to cough up a whopping Rs 92,640 crore in pending dues, penalties and interest within three months.

AGR is used to calculate a host of levies including license fees and spectrum usage charges. The notices come a day after Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read red-flagged possible liquidity issues at Vodafone Idea (VIL) arising from AGR liabilities, writing down its book value to zero.

“It is the responsibility of licencees to pay licence fees and other dues after carrying out their own assessment as prescribed in the licence agreement. You are therefore directed to make the payment in accordance with the order of Supreme Court and submit requisite documents to ensure compliance within stipulated timeframe,” the notice said.