AGR issue: Airtel paid Rs 10,000 crore to DoT

Bharti Airtel on Monday said it paid Rs 10,000 crore to the telecom department (DoT) towards statutory dues.
Airtel post-paid mobile plans
The company said it would make payment of the balance amount after self-assessment exercise.

The group paid Rs 10,000 crore on behalf of Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, and Telenor – towards settling AGR dues.

“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.

The company said it would also submit supporting details at the time of making balance payment.

The telecom department on February 14 started issuing orders asking telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to clear past dues immediately. Vodafone said it would clear payment shortly.

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 needs to clear nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge, to the India government.