Govt wants Vodafone Idea promoters to infuse capital before lifeline

The government wants promoters of the beleaguered Vodafone Idea NSE -2.52 % — Vodafone Group Plc of the UK and Aditya Birla Group (ABG) — to show their commitment to the India telecom operations by infusing equity, as the government prepares a relief package for the debt-laden sector.

Officials said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is, in fact, considering reaching out to Vodafone Idea to understand its plans and the promoters’ long-term commitment towards the loss-making telco, as the government doesn’t want a situation where it announces a package and the company still goes under.