Sterlite Tech says BSNL’s outstanding dues now below Rs 100 cr, expects substantial settlement this year

NEW DELHI: Data network solutions provider Sterlite Technologies NSE -2.79 %’ receivables from BSNL has come down to less than Rs 100 crore now, and the company is hopeful that substantial part of pending dues will be cleared by the state-owned telco this year, Group CEO Anand Agarwal said.

The dues from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) were close to Rs 230 crore at the end of 2018.

“Our dues from BSNL have come down to below Rs 100 crore now…and we believe a large part of it should get paid off within the current calendar year. At one point of time…end of 2018, it was Rs 220-230 crore,” Agarwal told PTI.

The pending dues were for optical fibre cable sales to BSNL, the supplies for which happened in 2018, he said, adding that the payment issue was limited only to telcos’ capex-related maintenance and upgrade work, and not state rural broadband and other projects.