The Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, declined comment on reports suggesting that the government is considering a ₹1 lakh crore waiver of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. In what was the government’s first official response, the minister said, “I am not aware of any such reports”. The Minister spoke to CNBC-TV after the Union Budget 2025 was presented on Saturday.

When pressed further — if the government was not considering a proposal to waive 50% of the interest and 100% of the penalty and interest on penalties, Scindia declined to comment. “I will not comment. You will hear from me when it happens and if it happens. The Supreme Court has passed a judgment and that stands,” he said.

Over the past few weeks, reports surfaced suggesting that the government is considering waiving a bulk of the dues that were levied on companies like Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel after the Supreme Court order of 2019.

Last September, the Supreme Court had dismissed curative petitions by telecom companies challenging its 2019 order that directed them to pay over ₹1 lakh crore towards AGR dues to the telecom department.

Sources say that while a proposal to provide relief is being considered, the government has sought legal options to ascertain the best way forward. A final decision on the matter is awaited.

The minister also told CNBC-TV18 that a very large asset monetisation exercise was underway in MTNL, and that would be used to service the debt.

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