The government on Wednesday asked Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and other telecom companies to pay their remaining AGR dues according to the Supreme Court order without further delay, sources said.

The telecom department wrote to all operators asking them to pay balance dues “without delay” and submit detailed bifurcation of payments (explanation of self-assessed amounts), which it said are necessary for proper reconciliation of legitimate dues.

The government has so far received about Rs 26,000 crore from AGR payments, including adhoc/buffer amounts given by telcos to meet any reconciliation differences with the telecom department.

However, the amounts paid by telcos are woefully lower than the DoT’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) calculations, prompting the telecom department’s latest move.

Sources privy to the development said as the amount paid by the telcos is based on their own self-assessment, the department has asked them to explain how they have arrived at the said calculation, and pay the balance amounts.

They said the letter was not in nature of a “threat” but rather seeking an explanation for the basis of the companies’ calculations and asking for remaining statutory payments.

Airtel has submitted over Rs 18,000 crore to the DoT declaring that it has made full and final settlement towards its AGR liabilities but the amount is far less than Rs 37,500 crore (including Telenor) that the government estimates the company owes it.