Telecom operators, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, which have pending adjusted gross revenue dues will have to pay 10 per cent of the total liability by March 31 irrespective of the part-payments made by them, according to government sources.

Operational telecom operators are expected to pay Rs 12,921 crore by March 31, of which around 80 per cent have to be paid by Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel.

“The Supreme Court order is very clear that telecom operators have to make 10 per cent payment of the total dues as demanded by the DoT by March 31, 2021.

“The DoT has already raised demand for full AGR dues. The 10 per cent payment to be made by this March will be calculated on the total AGR liability,” a DoT official said.

The officer said operators can clear the balance dues in 10 yearly instalments from the next financial year. According to the officer, Vodafone Idea will have to pay around Rs 5,825 crore and Bharti Airtel Rs 4,398 crore against the total demand of Rs 58,254 crore and Rs 43,980 crore, respectively.