After Supreme Court rap and the government’s stringent deadline, Bharti Airtel on Monday said it has paid Rs 10,000 crore to the telecom department towards statutory dues. The company said it will make payment of the balance amount after self-assessment exercise.
“The…total amount of Rs 10,000 crore has been paid on behalf of Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, and Telenor. We are in the process of completing the self-assessment exercise expeditiously and will duly make the balance paid upon completion of the same, before the next date of hearing in the SC,” Bharti Airtel said.
Bharti Airtel said it paid Rs 10,000 crore to the telecom department
The company said it will also submit supporting details at the time of making balance payment. The telecom department on February 14 began issuing orders asking firms such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to clear past dues immediately.
The DoT, which faced the ire of the Supreme Court for putting on hold recovery of dues from telecom companies, had started issuing circle or zone-wise demand notices to the firms. Airtel had previously responded to DoT order by offering to pay Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the remaining before March 17. Airtel owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including license fee and spectrum usage charge, to the government.
Supreme court warns telecom companies of contempt
In the AGR case, on 24 October 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the telecom companies to repay the dues by 23 January, in favor of the Department of Telecommunications. The companies filed a petition to reconsider the decision. Also, appealing for interest and penalty relief, but that too dismissed. After this, there was an appeal to give more time for payment. The Supreme Court also rejected this appeal last Friday. Also, expressed displeasure over the telecom companies. However, said that why not take contempt action against you?
Vodafone-Idea owes Rs 53,038 crore
Vodafone-Idea said on Saturday that it was assessing how much it could pay. AGR owes Rs 53,038 crore to Vodafone-Idea. Company chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said in the past. However, the company may have to be closed if the payment amount not discounted.
