The Supreme Court has allowed the central government to reconsider and reconcile Vodafone Idea Limited’s (Vi) adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues amounting to Rs 56 billion for the financial year 2016-17 (FY17). Following the order, Vi stated that it looks forward to closely collaborating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to resolve the issue.
Further, the court permitted the centre to review the pending AGR-related liabilities, observing that the matter lies within the policy domain of the government. The order was passed while hearing a writ petition filed by Vi, which challenged fresh AGR-related demands raised by the DoT.
Vi argued that these additional demands were unjustified, as the liabilities had already been settled under the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment on AGR dues. During the proceedings, the solicitor general, representing the centre, informed the court that the government now holds a 49 per cent equity stake in Vi and that the company’s services cater to around 200 million consumers.
He added that, considering these factors, the centre was willing to review the company’s concerns to ensure that consumer interests are protected. The bench took note of the petition seeking the quashing of additional AGR demands for FY17 and directed a comprehensive reassessment of the dues.
