DoT to meet industry on January 6 on Budget-related issues; will ‘support’ cut in levies

NEW DELHI: The Department of Telecom will meet industry players and various associations on January 6 to discuss the Budget wishlist and outstanding issues of the sector which is confronted with thousands of crores in unpaid statutory dues and burgeoning debt, according to sources. A senior government official told that the Department of Telecom (DoT) will be “supportive” of the industry’s demand for reduction in levies, both licence fee and Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC), and will formally communicate its Budget related suggestions to the finance ministry after holding a detailed consultation with the telecom players.