Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

The Centre has made it unequivocally clear that no telecom operator will receive any relief outside the ambit of the Supreme Court’s judgment on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the government is strictly acting in accordance with the apex court’s directions and has taken steps fully aligned with the ruling.


No Relief Beyond Supreme Court Mandate
The Minister emphasized that AGR liabilities are entirely based on the Supreme Court’s verdict and any service provider seeking relief must follow the same legal route.


“We are working under the orders of the Supreme Court. Any other service provider may adopt the same legal process,” he asserted.

In December, the government provided financial relief to debt-ridden Vodafone Idea, deferring its AGR dues amounting to ₹87,695 crore and extending the payment timeline until FY32. The Centre currently holds a 49% stake in the company.


Spectrum a National Asset, Not a Tradable Commodity
The government further clarified that spectrum is a scarce and sovereign national resource meant solely for delivering telecom services — not for valuation exercises or commercial trading.


A senior official from the Department of Telecommunications underscored that spectrum must be utilized strictly for service provision in the public interest.


The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has also recommended a review of spectrum holdings of companies undergoing insolvency proceedings, suggesting necessary corrective measures where required.

Airtel Seeks AGR Reassessment
Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel has written to the Department of Telecommunications seeking a reassessment of its AGR dues. The government has reiterated that any reconsideration will be subject to due legal process.


No Extension on SIM-Binding Rules for OTT Platforms
The Minister also dismissed speculation regarding any extension of deadlines for SIM-binding and mandatory logout norms applicable to OTT platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. He clarified that these provisions would apply only to virtual connections and not to direct mobile usage.


With this firm stance, the government has signaled a policy direction anchored in legal compliance, regulatory discipline, and transparency within the telecom sector. The industry’s next moves are now expected to unfold within the framework of judicial and financial prudence.