Cabinet relief to Vodafone Idea draws protest from BSNL unions over unequal telecom competition.

Recently, it has been reported in the media that the Union Cabinet has taken a decision to provide relief to Vodafone Idea in the telecom sector. According to PTI reports, the government has given a relief package to Vodafone Idea by reassessing its Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. Earlier, the total AGR liability of the company was about ₹87,695 crore. However, after reassessment by the Department of Telecommunications, the dues have been reduced to around ₹64,046 crore, and the company has been granted a five-year moratorium on payments. This effectively gives Vodafone Idea a relief of over ₹23,000 crore. The payments are now scheduled to begin after five years and will be spread over a longer period. The AGR dues arose following a judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which upheld the government’s definition of AGR and imposed liabilities on telecom companies.

 

However, it may be noted that Vodafone Idea company is a joint venture between Vodafone Group and the Aditya Birla Group and the central Govt. has taken a decision to give monetary relief to them. It is often argued that while the government is extending relief to private telecom operators like Vodafone Idea, public sector companies such as BSNL are treated differently. This remains a matter of public and political debate in the country also. The Unions and Associations in BSNL have also reacted on the same subject as it is not a level field competition in Telecom sector.

[Date : 02 - May - 2026]