The Supreme Court is set to hear Vodafone Idea’s plea regarding additional adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues for the period up to 2016-17. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, has scheduled the case for hearing after the court resumes following the Dussehra break.
Vodafone Idea has approached the apex court seeking to quash the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) fresh demand of Rs 5,606 crore for FY 2016-17. The company is requesting that the DoT be directed to comprehensively reassess and reconcile all AGR dues for the period until FY 2016-17, in line with the Deduction Verification Guidelines issued on February 3, 2020.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had refused to review its 2021 order rejecting pleas from Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel that sought rectification of alleged errors in AGR calculations.
The Centre has indicated that efforts are ongoing to find a resolution with Vodafone Idea. During a September 26 hearing, government counsel suggested that a solution could be explored with the court’s approval.
The timeline for payment of AGR dues was set by the Supreme Court in September 2020. Telecom companies were asked to clear the total dues of Rs 93,520 crore over ten years, beginning with an initial 10 percent payment by March 31, 2021, followed by yearly installments from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2031.