Airtel ready to pay AGR dues, but seeks parity in relief

In May, the SC dismissed pleas by Airtel, Vi, and Tata Teleservices for waiver on AGR dues' interest and penalties

- Jatin Grover

Bharti Airtel Ltd on Wednesday said that it can make all necessary adjusted gross revenue (AGR)-related payments even as it expects the government to extend the same relief as any other operator, in an indirect reference to Vodafone Idea, whose spectrum dues were converted into equity.

"We have written to the government to extend the same relief as any other telco but that is a decision that the government will take and we will abide by whatever decision they take," the company's vice-chairman and managing director Gopal Vittal said in an analyst call after the June-quarter results. "To that extent, I would say we have the room to make whatever payments are required."