SC allows full reassessment of Vodafone Idea AGR dues

Govt can now review entire arrears, including penalty and interest, up to FYI7

- Abraham Thomas

The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that the Centre could reassess and reconcile Vodafone Idea’s entire adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, including penalty and interest , up to financial year 2016-17, broadening the scope of an earlier order.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai and justice K Vinod Chandran modified its earlier order passed a week ago after an urgent mention by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Vodafone Idea (Vi) with solicitor general Tushar Mehta also present in court for the Centre.

Rohatgi said that the order passed on October 27 had restricted the scope for consideration by the Centre only to “additional” AGR dues payable up to 2016-17. He urged the court to consider suitable modification which permits the Centre to have a full reassessment on all additional dues along with interest payable by the company.

The earlier order said, “It is further to be noted that the prayer in the petition itself restricts its claim only to the additional AGR demand raised by the respondent for the period up to the Financial Year 2016-17.”