New Delhi: Vodafone Idea and Airtel’s problems may increase further. The burden of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) on telecom companies may increase further. The Telecom Department (DoT) is now calculating the outstanding dues for the financial year 2018 and 2019 as well.
AGR outstanding amounting to Rs 92,642 crore as license fee, interest and penalty is up to financial year 2017. However, the outstanding spectrum usage charge (SUC) of Rs 70,869 crore is till January this year. A source aware of this development said, “The outstanding amount of AGR has been calculated till 2016-17. Now we are assessing the outstanding amount including interest and penalty for the period after that.
Executives associated with the telecom industry are apprehensive that the new calculus up to financial year 2019 may increase the outstanding balance of AGR by 40%. This will further widen the gap between the government’s estimate and its own assessment of the telecom companies and may lead to a new legal dispute between the two parties.
