SC raps Centre, telcos for self-assessment of AGR dues

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 18) pulled up the Department of Telecom (DoT) and telecom companies for doing self-assessment or reassessment of the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues fixed by the apex court in its verdict given on October 24 last year.

A bench of justices Arun Mishra, SA Nazeer and MR Shah said the self-assessment violated its earlier order and was in sheer contempt of court.

Related news: DoT to write fresh letters to telcos questioning them on discrepancy in AGR dues

While Vodafone and Hughes Telecom company had requested recalculation and staggered payment, the court refused to entertain it.

The bench also refused to take up the Centre’s plea for allowing telecom companies to pay AGR dues in 20 years, saying the application will be taken up after two weeks.

The top court, which was also anguished by frequently published newspaper articles on the AGR issue, said all managing directors of telecom companies will be personally responsible and will be held for contempt of court for any such future newspaper articles.

While Solicitor General Tushar Mehra, appearing for the Centre, said the government was just seeking more time and not reassessment of dues, Justice Mishra said AGR dues are public money.

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The court in its October 24, 2019 judgement had upheld the definition of AGR given by DoT and set the cumulative dues of ₹1.69 lakh crore on 16 telecom companies.