The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a relief package for debt-laden Vodafone Idea, freezing adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues of Rs 87,695 crore and rescheduling their repayment over a 10-year period from FY32 to FY41, sources told PTI.As part of the decision, the Department of Telecommunications will reassess the frozen AGR dues based on Deduction Verification Guidelines and audit reports, with the final outcome to be determined by a government-appointed committee, the sources said.They added that AGR dues related to FY18 and FY19, which were finalised by a Supreme Court order in 2020, will continue to be payable by Vodafone Idea during FY26 to FY31, without any change in terms.The measures are aimed at protecting the government’s interest as a nearly 49 per cent shareholder in the telecom operator, ensuring an orderly recovery of statutory dues including spectrum charges and AGR, maintaining competition in the telecom sector, and safeguarding services for around 20 crore Vodafone Idea subscribers, the sources said.
