New Delhi, Jun 18: Vodafone Idea on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it has incurred Rs 1 lakh crore losses as it insisted it is not in a position to furnish bank guarantees.
A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, S. Abdul Nazeer, and M.R. Shah, taking up the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) matter through video conferencing, directed the telecom companies to submit their financial documents and books for the last 10 years.
Asking Vodafone if it was a foreign company, the bench said that how can the company say it would not furnish any bank guarantee.
"What if you fly away overnight in future without paying anything?" it asked.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Vodafone Idea, denied his client is a completely foreign firm and cited before the bench its tie-ups and investments.
Vodafone owes over Rs 58,000 crore as AGR dues and so far, has paid close to Rs 7,000 crore.
Rohatgi contended before the court that the telecom company is in a tough situation, and cannot furnish any fresh bank guarantee, as profits have eluded the company in past many quarters. He submitted before the bench that Rs 15,000 crore bank guarantees are lying with the government, and his client's losses are over Rs 1 lakh crore.
"I cannot offer any more surety," he informed the bench.
Justice Mishra noted that this is public money and these dues should be recovered. "Do not tell us that you will pay if you were to make profits... the money must come," he noted.
Justice Shah observed that the telecom industry is the only industry which earned during the Covid-19 pandemic. "After all, this money will be used for public welfare", he said.
Rohatgi argued that his client would have to fold up if orders were issued to clear dues tomorrow. "11,000 employees will have to go without notice, as we cannot pay them," he added.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Bharti Airtel, contended before the court that out of Rs 21,000 crore AGR dues, the company has already deposited a sum of Rs 18,000 crore.
He argued that his client has given a bank guarantee, in excess of demand, to DoT, and supported the proposal for phased repayment of remaining AGR dues. He insisted that the company needs to sit down with the government and calculate the dues. Airtel owes Rs 25,976 crore after paying Rs 18,000 crore, as per the government.
Senior advocate Arvind Datar, representing Tata Telecom, informed the bench that his client has paid Rs 6,504 crore in AGR dues so far, and furnishing a bank guarantee may adversely impact investments in the sector.
The total AGR dues are close to Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
The top court will now take up the matter in the third week of July.
Comments
Sngha parivar sarkar and Corporate pulled India 10 years back and Looting India by increasing price for oil, gas and other products, neglecting farmers, unorganised sectors, drop in GDP, high cost living, middle class people dropped thier status to poor category, no planning comision, no pancha warshika yogana.....
for common people India became hell and totally frustrated. Rulers are wwasting time to divide india in the name of religion instead of working on developments. Uneducated and stupid personality like him ruling India including burocrates. qualification is not a eligibility to rule in India. Only hate mongers are selected for all the positions. We cannot blame them as the great fools are Peoples of India repeatedly electing hate mongers. will dream "acche din ayega" jai hind
Who he is "BASTURD" chopping finger; if it is against "Stupid modi"
Cheddi sandesh spotted..!
Well said mr. Nityanand Rai. Unculture Indian people dont know how to respect our hon. PM
I am rising my middle finger against Modi. Fool. Chop my finger
If you talk againts INDIAN constituiton ready to face the worst or public may drag you from the position.
Modi is the PM elected represnetative not a God. World has seen several dictators and thier worst end.
So suggest not to jump.
All the comments all we hear is the man agenda and advise from Nagpur else who will talk such anti INDIA slogans.
The more U bring people to do EVIL , the more, RSS will reward the bow bow leaders. and a fact done with the devils to destroy the young hindu generation to do evil in the society.
Add new comment