Vodafone Idea says it will take 15 years to pay AGR dues, asks DoT for Rs 8,000-cr GST refund

Mumbai: Vodafone Idea has called on the government to allow it to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues over 15 years. The telecom company has also asked for a tax refund, cuts in licence fees and spectrum usage charges (SUC) and the establishment of a floor for tariffs among measures to help remain viable.

In a letter to the Department of Telecommunications, the finance ministry and Niti Ayog, the telco, which has over 300 million subscribers, said it needs help from the government to stay in business. The letter was sent a day ahead of a meeting of Digital Communications Commission (DCC) – the highest decision-making body of DoT – which may discuss some steps on providing relief to stressed telcos such as Vodafone Idea.