Jio boxed into corner; CII, FICCI join cause to seek relief for telcos

New Delhi, Dec 1 () Rival industry associations CII and FICCI have closed ranks and written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking relief for telecom companies that have been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore in past statutory dues, in an apparent attempt to counter billionaire Mukesh Ambani-run Jio's narrative on the issue.

While Jio has been strongly opposing a bailout of telecom companies at taxpayers' expense saying they had "sufficient" financial capacity to pay dues, CII and FII president's have in separate letters asked Finance Minister to address "precarious" financial position of telcos saddled with a debt of Rs 7 lakh crore and ensure robust competition for vibrancy in the sector.

CII president Vikram Kirloskar in the November 19 letter sought revisting the current revenue-sharing business model - where the government is paid a predecided share out of the income generated from using scarce natural resource, and replace it with "competitive and transparent" model that also "address the possible adverse impacts on banks" having exposure to sectors with such business model.

FICCI president Sandip Somany wrote to Sitharaman on the issue on November 27, which was first reported by on Friday.

"The recent developments on the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues of Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) , have triggered a great deal of concern not only to the seriously-affected TSPs, but also amongst others who are part of the overall telecom eco-system.

"The precarious financial health of key players in this sector and their massive debt burden (estimated to be Rs 7 lakh crores), threaten not only their individual existence but also the much-needed vibrancy in this sector of national importance," Kirloskar wrote.

The Supreme Court on October 24 upheld the government position that non-telecom revenue should be included in calculating AGR, a percentage of which is paid to the exchequer as statutory dues. Telcos such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea were asked to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore in past dues within three months.

"In this context, CII urges the Government to consider addressing the situation in a manner which continues the robust competition in the industry and ensures further investments in infrastructure for new technologies," the November 19 letter said.

It went on to say that telecom services are a 'raw material' for the rest of the economy serving as a productivity-enhancer for many other sectors. "A robust vibrant ecosystem of TSPs is critical for some of the key nation business initiatives of the government of India, including the drive towards a less cash-based economy and the larger Digital India programme. In essence, a vibrant telecom sector is in the national interest."

"CII urges the government to continue with its policy of encouraging healthy competition in the telecom sector with at least 3-4 strong players, and work towards addressing the issues facing the sector with that prespective. This is essential in the national interest and the interest of the consuming masses," it said.

FICCI in the letter had stated that the apex court ruling not just lead to the collapse of the telecom sector but will also have a cascading effect on several other sectors including power, steel and railways.

It urged Sitharaman's urgent intervention to resolve woes in the telecom sector saying the debt-ridden industry has no appetite left to invest in networks and future technologies.

"...As you are aware, currently the sector is saddled with a massive debt and has almost no appetite to invest in networks and future technologies. Adding further woes to the sector, the recent ruling on the AGR, dues of the telecom service providers will lead to an unfortunate and disastrous collapse of the already battered sector," the letter said. ANZ MR MR