Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has made it clear that the government will not offer any relief to telecom companies regarding Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. In an interview with The Times of India (May 31, 2025), Scindia firmly stated there are no plans to waive penalties or interest, emphasizing that the matter has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court has ruled on this matter, and there is no proposal on my table to revisit it,” the minister stated.
No more relief for Voda Idea, says communications minister @JM_Scindia. Working out a turnaround of the company is the job of the telco’s CEO, the minister says, also ruling out relief on AGR matter https://t.co/7j8lq8yyxC #telecom pic.twitter.com/2rLt5dMzVP
— Pankaj Doval (@pankajdoval) May 31, 2025
Vodafone Idea Must Stand on Its Own
Amid questions about Vodafone Idea’s (Vi) ongoing financial troubles, Scindia confirmed that the government will not increase its equity stake in the company beyond the current 49%. “We converted nearly ₹36,000 crore of Vi’s dues into equity based on government policy. We’re at 49% today and have no plans to raise that stake. It’s the company’s responsibility now,” he said.
His remarks came shortly after Vodafone Idea reported a consolidated net loss of ₹7,166.1 crore for the quarter ending March 2025. The company’s board has approved plans to raise ₹20,000 crore via a follow-on public offer (FPO), private placement, or qualified institutional placement (QIP). Scindia reiterated that managing finances is the responsibility of each company, whether public or private.
“Profit and loss and the balance sheet are the responsibility of company management—whether it’s BSNL, Vodafone Idea, Jio, or Airtel,” he said. “We meet companies when approached, but I don’t believe in interfering in corporate operations, regardless of government ownership.”
On Vi’s turnaround timeline, he stated “That’s the job of the CEO. They must define their own path.”
Satellite Communications: India Open to Global Players
Turning to satellite communications, Scindia revealed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has received recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and is currently evaluating them. Though he did not commit to a timeline, he noted that efforts are underway to expedite the rollout of satellite services. Scindia also welcomed international players like Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper to the Indian market.
“Anyone who checks all the regulatory boxes is welcome. The priority is customer choice, and competition will drive growth,” he said. “Just like in mobile, fixed-line, and broadband, I want competition in satellite too. Tick the boxes and start your business.”
