Scindia: Airtel Needs Court Order for AGR Relief Like Vodafone Idea

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that Bharti Airtel must seek Supreme Court directions to receive AGR debt relief similar to Vodafone Idea. He also discussed tackling spam and OTT platform regulations.

“What the Federal government of India has actually complied with is on the basis of an instructions of the Supreme Court and the instructions was very certain for Vodafone Concept,” Scindia told ET in an interview. “Every stakeholder has a right to come close to the court and if the court so considers it in shape, after that they can come back to us,” he said. In the case of Vodafone Concept, “the Supreme Court has said that the government should review it, which we did,” he stated.

“What the Federal government of India has followed is on the basis of a direction of the Supreme Court and the direction was extremely particular for Vodafone Concept,” Scindia informed ET in an interview. “Every stakeholder has a right to come close to the court and if the court so regards it fit, after that they can come back to us,” he claimed. In the case of Vodafone Concept, “the Supreme Court has stated that the government ought to evaluate it, which we did,” he claimed.

Addressing Unsolicited Spam Calls and Technology

There is software that identifies certain spam telephone calls, and it is already mounted on several telecommunications operator networks, the minister said.

“And, therefore, while modern technology brings with it numerous returns, it likewise brings with it the capability of unethical and some scrupulous agencies to often unnecessarily harass customers,” he claimed. There is software program that determines specific spam calls, and it is already mounted on several telecommunications driver networks, the priest claimed.

Airtel and Tata Group Seek Equitable Debt Treatment

ET last week reported that Airtel and Tata Team systems were thinking about approaching the government looking for fair treatment on AGR-based statutory repayment fees. Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal told a news channel in Davos that the telecommunications operator has actually contacted the federal government for reassessment of its liabilities, because the issue influenced it also.

“And also don’t fail to remember, we had a 49% risk there,” he included. The government, which acquired the stake in Vodafone Concept by transforming some unpaid of the firm right into equity, is not planning to increase it over 49%.

Regulating OTT Platforms and Satellite Services

So, let’s just see how we look at it. OTT does not come directly under us, however allow’s see TRAI work out something and come back to us.” Inquired about the launch of satellite interaction services, Scindia stated a decision on prices would be made quickly.

New Delhi: If Bharti Airtel or one more firm desires relief on financial obligations connected to readjusted gross revenue (AGR) comparable to what the government has used to Vodafone Concept, it must initially get a favourable direction from the court, interactions minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

ET recently reported that Airtel and Tata Group systems were thinking about coming close to the government seeking fair therapy on AGR-based legal payment charges. Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal told a news network in Davos that the telecom driver has contacted the government for reassessment of its liabilities, because the issue influenced it too.

On the issue of spam, where huge web traffic is now seen shifting to excessive (OTT) systems, Scindia said he has actually asked the Division of Telecoms and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to check out the matter. “At the end of the day, we are a customer-facing field.

Details of the Government Relief Package for Vi

In a considerable alleviation to Vodafone Concept, the government on December 31 revealed freezing of the business’s AGR-related dues at ‘87,695 crore and enabling staggered settlements over 16 years till 2041. Under the modified schedule, Vodafone Concept requires to pay ‘124 crore every year for 6 years in between March 2026 and 2031, and ‘100 crore annually for the following 4 years.