Supreme Court slams Centre for plea seeking reassessment of AGR dues

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the Depatement of Telecom's (DoT) plea seeking reassessment of Adjusted Gross Revenues (ADR) dues by telecom companies and slammed it for asking for it.

"If reassessment is permitted - it is fraud on this court. We won't spare officials who allowed reassessment of telecom dues," the apex court said, ordering DoT to withdraw its move.

Terming it as a question of 'court's prestige', the apex court asked if the telecom companies feel they are more powerful on earth. The governement had said that the liable telcos including Airtel and Vodafone Idea have started making payments in installments and they will be dealt with accordingly. Centre also mentioned that the firms are catering to millions on consumers in India.

"The Centre is conscious of the fact that any immediate adverse impact on the functioning of telecom service providers would not only have an adverse impact on the overall economy of the nation but would also seriously harm the interest of the consumers across the country," the petition read.