Bharti Seeks Fair AGR Treatment, Mittal Cites Tata Precedent at Davos

Speaking with ANI on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Mittal on the AGR dues said, "We have written to the concerned department of the government, and waiting for their responses. We are hoping that equitable treatment should be given to us. Even other companies like Tata's who have gone through this."

"We have nearly Rs 38,000 to 40,000 crores AGR dues that we have to pay over a period of time," he said.

On the question on any response from the government, he said, "Not as of now."

Speaking about his takeaways at the WEF, Mittal said, "The takeaway from Davos is that in my view, geopolitics is uncertain. That has weighed a lot on the minds of the European leaders, and on corporate leaders. The other is India's story is intact, people's interest, corporate interest in India is very much alive. In fact, India remains the bright spot."

"The interest in manufacturing, the increase in the manufacturing side, as is quite clearly being seen, indicates that the manufacturing companies want to establish a base in India. The new age businesses, the renewables, the EVs, there is a huge interest in that sense," he said.

In a separate development, amid reports that other large telecom operators are seeking equitable treatment on AGR liabilities following the government's decision to grant Vodafone Idea a 10-year moratorium, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Wednesday clarified that the relief was granted strictly on the basis of a Supreme Court judgment and does not automatically extend to other players.

Responding to a question by ANI on whether the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has received any official communication from other telcos seeking similar relief, Scindia said the government's decision was rooted in the apex court's recognition of Vodafone Idea as a special case.

"The decision that the Government of India has taken is based on the judgment that was pronounced by the Supreme Court where it has seen Vodafone as a special case, both because it has 20 crore customers, as well as the fact that the government owns 49% of its equity. Based on that decision of the Supreme Court, the government has taken it taken a view in terms of a policy what needs to be done with regard to the AGR dues and the spectrum views remain the same," the minister had said.

- ANI