While the existing proposal may have been shown the door, experts suggest that there is no legal bar on the DOT floating a fresh proposal for a waiver or even considering an amendment to the law and rules to provide relief.
The Cabinet Secretariat has communicated this decision to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The DoT had floated a proposal to waive 50% of interest, 100% of penalties, and 100% of interest on penalties.Last month, the apex court dismissed review petitions filed by Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, seeking corrections in the calculation of AGR dues.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Abhay S. Oka, and Justice Sanjay Kumar ruled that no case for review of the July 23, 2021 order was made out, thereby rejecting the pleas. “Pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of,” the court said.
The telecos had contended that the DoT made significant errors in computing the AGR dues, including failing to account for payments already made and incorporating non-core revenues. Vodafone Idea, in its plea, argued that these “glaring errors” had resulted in an unjustified financial burden of approximately ₹25,000 crore.
However, with the Supreme Court’s refusal to allow corrections, the telecom companies are left with no further legal avenues.
Following the development, shares of Vodafone Idea are trading 5.07% at ₹7.46, while Bharti Airtel shares are at ₹1,635, up 0.47% on Wednesday.
First Published: Mar 19, 2025 3:38 pm IS
