Pay up, or else: How SC snuffed out telcos’ last AGR hope

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed telecom operators and the telecom department, saying allowing self-assessment of AGR dues was tantamount to “fraud” on the court and contempt of its orders, and said operators will have to pay their full dues, including interest and penalties, as per the government’s estimate. The three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said it will consider the government’s plea on allowing affected telcos to stagger their payments over several years, in the next hearing after two weeks.

“Exercise of self-assessment of AGR dues by telecom companies cannot be permitted even in wildest dreams,” the court said in its observations during the hearing. “Our judgement on AGR dues is full and final, it should be followed in letter and spirit,” the bench said.