Government Rejects Vodafone Idea’s AGR Relief Plea Ahead Of Supreme Court Hearing
The Department of Telecommunications said that further AGR relief is not possible, citing the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling and previous government support through equity conversion.
The Indian government has turned down Vodafone Idea Ltd.’s plea for fresh relief on its adjusted gross revenue dues, days after the debt-laden telecom operator filed a fresh petition before the Supreme Court.
The Department of Telecommunications, in a letter dated April 29, said the request for further concessions on AGR liabilities “cannot be considered” due to the apex court’s 2020 ruling in the case. The ministry noted that Vodafone Idea had already sought and received partial support when the government converted spectrum-related dues worth Rs 36,950 crore into equity, increasing its stake in the company to 49%.
Vodafone Idea had approached the Supreme Court once again earlier this month, seeking relief of over Rs 45,000 crore in relation to its AGR dues. The matter is scheduled for hearing later on Monday.
This marks the latest chapter in a long-running dispute over the definition and calculation of AGR, which began with a 2019 ruling. In 2020, the top court fixed a 10-year timeline for telcos to clear dues. The DoT had earlier urged the court to extend the repayment window to 20 years, but the court did not accept the proposal.
Telecom companies later challenged the calculations, citing arithmetic errors, but the Supreme Court dismissed those claims. Vodafone Idea filed a curative petition in July 2024, which was rejected in September 2024.
