Question : Outstanding Dues against Operators

(a) whether huge dues are outstanding against certain Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) with reference to licence fee, spectrum usage charges, penalties for violation of rules, etc.;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to recover the dues from the operators and the penalties imposed on them, operators-wise;

(c) whether some TSPs have reportedly gone to courts in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of pendency along with the amount of funds locked in these cases; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to recover the outstanding dues?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.359 FOR 23rd DECEMBER, 2015 REGARDING “OUTSTANDING DUES AGAINST OPERATORS”.

(a) & (b) The total outstanding dues against Major Telecom Service Providers is Rs.47,776.45 Crore. The details of outstanding dues is attached at Annexure-A.

The steps taken by the Government to recover the dues from the operators include issue of demands as per the terms and conditions of the license agreements and defending the cases in TDSAT, various High Courts and Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Government of India has collected License Fee and spectrum Usage Charges to the extent of Rs. 1.70 lakh crore (approximately) up to the 2nd quarter of financial year 2015-16 from the date of commencement of Revenue Share Regime.

(c) & (d) The total amount under litigation in respect of Major Telecom Service Providers is Rs 17,043.39 crore. The details are attached at Annexure-B.

(e) The cases are defended in TDSAT, various High Courts and Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The action shall be taken depending upon the judgments.