Tue Sep 24 04:17:00 UTC 2024: ## Vodafone Idea Seeks Government Relief on ₹70,000 Crore AGR Dues

**New Delhi:** Debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea (VIL) has approached the Indian government for relief on ₹70,000 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, following the Supreme Court’s rejection of its curative petition. The company’s chairman, Ravinder Takkar, stated that VIL has been in continuous dialogue with senior government officials regarding the AGR liability, both before and after the court ruling.

The company argues that the AGR calculation contains errors, and they shouldn’t be burdened with payments arising from these inaccuracies. Takkar emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting three strong private telecom players and expressed optimism about finding a solution.

VIL’s total payment obligation to the government stands at ₹2,09,520 crore as of June 30, 2024, including AGR liability and deferred spectrum payments. Despite the setback with the curative petition, VIL CEO Akshaya Moondra affirmed that the company’s long-term business plan and revival strategy remain unaffected.

Moondra also revealed that VIL has submitted a growth plan to banks for debt funding, which is expected to be finalized within 7-8 weeks. This funding will be used to expand the network, with VIL already awarding a ₹30,000-crore contract to Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for 4G and 5G equipment. Network expansion is expected to commence by the end of the next quarter, with significant deployment by the end of the current fiscal year.

The company has allocated ₹50,000-55,000 crore for network expansion, with initial funding coming from the recently raised ₹24,000 crore. Further funding is being negotiated with banks. This move signifies VIL’s commitment to strengthening its network infrastructure and competing effectively in the Indian telecom market.

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