Govt wants telcos to clear AGR dues in 3 months; relief package in works

The relief package may include a cut in licence fee, a two-year moratorium on payment

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has started the initial process of claiming its dues from telcos, directing them to pay up in accordance with the Supreme Court’s October 24 order, under which they have been given three months to fulfil their obligations.

The letter to the telcos points out that it is the responsibility of the licensees to pay after carrying out their own assessment as prescribed in the licence agreement.

A senior official of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said in accordance with the licence agreement, the companies had to file the amount of licence fees they