The telecom department is mulling penal action against telecom operators for failing to pay in time the adjusted gross revenue dues as directed by the Supreme Court, according to an official source.

With Saturday being a holiday in various offices, the department of telecom (DoT) is likely to wait till Monday evening for the payment before sending out the next set of notices with updated penalty and other punitive action according to the licence norms, the source told PTI.

“The DoT has sent five notices to telecom operators with reminders and penalty provisions on October 31, November 13, December 2, January 20 and now on February 14. Telecom operators are bound to pay according to the SC order and the department never gave them any extension. Now, telecom operators are saying they will pay a sizable amount by Monday but action will be taken against them for every delay,” the official said.

The DoT had issued stringent orders to telecom operators to pay by Friday midnight after facing the ire of the SC for no action taken by it to recover dues and passing an order to not take any coercive action against the defaulters.

The Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) on Saturday asserted that the government has “vast powers and options” to address the sector’s issues.

COAI director-general Rajan Mathews said it is up to individual members (companies) to see how they would interpret and comply with the SC order.