The telecom companies owe the government Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid license fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charge.

NEW DELHI: Vodafone Idea (VIL) and Bharti Airtel on Friday filed separate applications before the Supreme Court seeking a review of its October 24 verdict on adjusted gross revenue (AGR).

The apex court had ruled last month that AGR should include non-telecom receipts too and directed 16 telcos to pay pending licence fee dues worth Rs 92,640 crore to the Department of Telecom (DoT) within three months.

Among the reliefs sought by the companies in their review petitions is a prayer to waive off the penalties and interest on pending dues, sources say. Of the Rs 92,640 crore due, only Rs 23,189 crore is the
principal amount, while penalties and interest calculated over the duration of the 14-year long litigation comprise the rest. Airtel and VIL did not comment on the development.

Under the current taxation regime, telcos are mandated to pay the government licence fees (LF) and spectrum usage charges (SUC) calculated as a percentage of AGR. DoT estimates show telcos will need
to pay another Rs 55,055 crore toward pending SUC dues, bringing the total liability to over Rs 1.4 lakh crore.

Most of the telcos on the list are either defunct or non-operational, but the verdict had resulted in an immediate cash-flow crisis for Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel. While Bharti Airtel faces a total combined liability of Rs 35,586 crore towards LF and SUC dues, VIL is staring at a whopping Rs 53,038 crore cash outgo.

Providing for these liabilities (albeit partially) had seen both firms post their highest ever losses during the second quarter, with VIL’s Rs 50,922 crore net loss the largest recorded by an Indian company in history.

The two had consequently sought urgent relief from the government, red-flagging uncertainty over their ability to continue as going concerns.

The Union Cabinet reeled out a Rs 42,000-odd crore lifeline on Wednesday, approving the deferment of spectrum auction installments for financial year 2020-21 and 2021-22. But, the same day saw telecom
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad reveal in Parliament that the Centre was not considering any relaxation in the AGR issue.

Analysts note that while the spectrum payments moratorium would relieve the financial burden on the companies partially, they were unlikely to offset the impact from the AGR bill. Especially in the
case of a struggling VIL.

“Even with the price hike in December, Vodafone Idea will need support,” Jefferies analysts said.

Around 8 am on Saturday, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar went to Raj Bhavan where Governor BS Koshyari administered them the oath of office and secrecy.

MUMBAI: In the early hours of Saturday, decks were cleared for BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to again become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. In a surprise twist, NCP’s Ajit Pawar lent his support to BJP and was also sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.

The development comes hours after NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said that the Congress and NCP have consented Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray to become Maharashtra Chief Minister. The alliance of the three parties was expected to stake claim for government formation on Monday. 

However, at around 8 am on Saturday morning, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar went to Raj Bhavan where Governor BS Koshyari administered them the oath of office and secrecy.

Here is what happened when:

Sometime around 11.45 night – Ajit Pawar-BJP deal finalised.

11.45 p.m on Friday till Saturday 9 a.m. – Ajit Pawar stays put with Fadnavis, not to go back till sworn in.

11.55 pm (Friday) – Fadnavis speaks to Party and requests for swearing-in before anyone in Sena-NCP-Congress comes to know and stakes claim.

12.30 a.m. (Saturday) – Governor who was to travel out of Mumbai to New Delhi, cancels his travel

02.10 a.m. – Secy to Governor told to submit revocation order at 5.47 and arrange swearing-in at 6.30 a.m.

2.30 a.m. – Secy informs he will submit file within two hours and advises 7.30 a.m. for swearing-in as arrangements have to be made early on Saturday.

5.30 a.m. – Both Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis arrive at Raj Bhavan

5.47 a.m – President’s Rule revoked but announced at 9 a.m.

7.50 a.m – Swearing-in starts by Governor B.S. Koshyari

8.10 a.m. – Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as CM and NCP’ Ajit Pawar as in dy CM

8.40 a.m – PM Modi congratulates new CM and Dy CM

On Friday night, emerging from a marathon meeting of top leaders of the Congress, the NCP and the Sena, who are making efforts to form government in Maharashtra, Pawar said there was a consensus on Thackeray‘s leadership.

All three parties have agreed that Shiv Sena will keep the chief minister’s post for a full five-year term and there will be no rotation among the alliance, which was the main reason why Selena broke up with its ally BJP, who had refused to share the chief minister’s post for 2.5 years each.

While in the boat, which was moving slowly because of patient’s condition, the woman delivered a baby. Thereafter, both mother and baby were transferred to the Community Health Centre.

NEW DELHI

Indian Navy, in a swift rescue operation, safely evacuated a pregnant woman in emergency labour from a remote village in the Nicobar Islands.

“The crisis call was made after civil administration found that it was nearly impossible for them to carry the patient through 20 km treacherous terrain in such a medical condition,” said a senior Indian Navy officer.

A fast intercepter craft (FIC) of Indian Navy Ship Kardip in Kamorta island was dispatched immediately. A team of the Indian Navy, including medical officer first took the Community Health Centre staff and reached Daring Village at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Post embarkation of the patient, the boat left the village late in the evening.

While in the boat, which was moving slowly because of patient’s condition, the woman delivered a baby. Thereafter, both mother and baby were transferred to the Community Health Centre.

“Both mother and baby are safe and in good health,” the officer said

The whole operation, owing to the nature of emergency, required delicate handling of the fast interceptor craft throughout the travel of approximately 20 km by sea from Daring to the Kamorta Jetty.

 Two Nigerian men studying in a private college in Kattankulathur, have been arrested by the Narcotics Intelligence bureau (NIB) for supplying ganja.

CHENNAI: Two Nigerian men studying in a private college in Kattankulathur, have been arrested by the Narcotics Intelligence bureau (NIB) for supplying ganja. Based on a tip-off, a team from NIB conducted a raid at their house in Urapakkam and found seven kilograms of ganja which was later seized. 

They have been identified as Ayooluwa David Adebakin, studying third year BBA course, and Olugu Olisaemeka Emmanuel, studying second year B.Sc. The duo were arrested and were remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate court in Kancheepuram. During investigation, it was revealed that the two students sold ganja in sachets to their friends in college.”They allegedly sneaked the drug in their backpacks and all their transactions were made online,” said the police officer.

The robot, designed by Robo Coupler Private Limited, can receive complaints through voice recording or digital typing, after which the complainant’s information will be given to the police.

VISAKHAPATNAM: No need to worry about the possibility of your coming across a bad-tempered policeman overburdened by work, when you go to a police station to lodge a complaint. You will be greeted by a robocop – impersonal and, at the same time friendly – to receive your complaint.   

In a first of its kind, Robot CYBIRA (cyber security interactive robotic agent) to receive complaints was launched on a pilot basis in Maharanipeta police station limits here. The robot, designed by Robo Coupler Private Limited, can receive complaints through voice recording or digital typing, after which the complainant’s information will be given to the police officer concerned.

The robot has been designed to resolve complaints within a specific time limit. In general, there are delays on the part of police in attending to complainants at police stations. But, robot complaints filed through voice recording in a local language or in a digital format, will get a quicker response. 

“Once a complaint is registered, the robot will take a photo of the complainant and send the information to the mobile phone of the officer concerned. Within 24  hours, the officer will be reminded of the complaint. And if no progress is made, the complaint will be sent to the next lower level officer, i.e. CI. Each complaint will have a deadline of 2-3 days to get resolved after which it will directly reach the Chief Minister’s office,” said CEO of the company, Praveen Malla. 

This smart technology will help police crack cases within a short time as it will categorise complaints as per laws under which they can be dealt with. Praveen said Robo Coupler Private Limited worked on this  project for two years. It was first proposed to the IT Minister and later it was sent to the DGP. 

“For the pilot project, we have selected Visakhapatnam. We will engage the services of the robot during Spandana programme to check its effectiveness before officially launching the project at selected police stations in the State. Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner  RK Meena suggested that a scanner be attached to the robot so that people can have their written complaint scanned and processed.

NEW DELHI: The Congress Working Committee on Thursday reviewed the political scenario in Maharashtra, a day after it held a marathon meeting with the NCP on forming an alliance together with Shiv Sena to form a government in the state.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal told the media after a meeting at party chief Sonia Gandhi’s 10 Janpath residence that the CWC was briefed on the discussion between NCP and Congress on Wednesday.

However, Congress sources said a final decision on Maharashtra is expected by tomorrow.

The CWC, the sources said, has broadly agreed to go ahead with government formation with Shiv Sena and the NCP.

Another meeting between Congress and NCP is to happen Thursday night and a final meeting with Shiv Sena will happen Friday in Mumbai.

The decision on government formation in Maharashtra will be announced in Mumbai on Friday, the sources said.

On the hand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said on Thursday that a final decision on the new government in Maharashtra will be taken in the next two days.

He told reporters that there there are no plans of any meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray this week.

He also informed that three parties will collectively decide about power-sharing in Mumbai.

“The time has come, before December 1 the process of formation of the government will be over and the Chief Minister will also be decided. Till yesterday, marathon meetings of Congress-NCP were held here at the NCP Chief Sharad Pawar’s residence. In the next two days we will move ahead towards government formation,” said Raut.

“The three parties will collectively decide on power-sharing in Mumbai,” he added.

“The chief minister will be of Shiv Sena. People want Uddhav Thackeray to be the Chief Minister,” said Raut.

The chief minister’s post in Maharashtra is most likely to be on a rotational basis, with the first half of the five-year term to be given to the Shiv Sena and the latter to the Nationalist Congress Party, NCP sources said.

The Congress is likely to have the deputy chief minister’s post for the full term, they said.

A senior NCP leader said the fight between the Shiv Sena and the BJP was for over the issue of chief ministership for two-and-half years each.

“So, the question of the Sena enjoying the full five-year term does not arise. The second half will have a chief minister from the NCP,” the leader said.

However, Congress sources said the issue of chief minister’s post was not discussed in Wednesday’s meeting.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told reporters that the chief minister of the state will be from his party, but parried question on whether the Sena would hold the post for five years.

NCP leaders also cited the slim margin in the number of seats between the two parties.

In the October 21 Maharashtra polls, the BJP-Sena saffron alliance secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats respectively in the 288-member assembly.

The Congress and the NCP, pre-poll allies, won 44 and 54 seats respectively.

NCP sources also added that the smaller parties which had allied with the Congress-NCP coalition are also on board to having a tie-up with the Shiv Sena.

The Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Paksh (1), Hitendra Thakur-led Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (3), Samajwadi Party (2), CPI-M (1) and Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) — who had allied with the Congress-NCP — have also expressed their willingness to join the coalition.

On September 23, the RBI had imposed regulatory restrictions on the PMC Bank for six months over alleged financial irregularities.

MUMBAI: Depositors of the crisis-hit Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank can approach the Reserve Bank-appointed administrator for withdrawal up to Rs 1 lakh in case of medical emergencies, the RBI told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday.

In an affidavit filed in the HC in response to petitions challenging the fund withdrawal restrictions, the RBI has mentioned the withdrawal ceiling at Rs 50,000 for scenarios like marriage, education, livelihood and “other hardships”.

RBI counsel Venkatesh Dhond told a division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and R I Chagla that the depositors facing hardships can approach the RBI-appointed administrator and seek withdrawal up to Rs one lakh.

Such withdrawal restrictions were necessary to safeguard the interests of the bank and its depositors, the affidavit stated. The apex bank also stated that largescale wrongdoing has been found in the PMC bank.

On September 23, the RBI had imposed regulatory restrictions on the PMC Bank for six months over alleged financial irregularities.

“To mitigate the hardship of the depositors, the RBI has enabled entertaining on merit any application for withdrawal beyond the stipulated amount on hardship grounds like medical treatment, marriage, education, livelihood and other hardships, subject to a ceiling of Rs one lakh on medical ground and Rs 50,000 in all other cases,” the affidavit stated.

The bench after perusing the affidavit posted the petitions for further hearing on December 4. The withdrawal limit for account holders was initially Rs 1,000 per each customer for six months, which was later raised to Rs 10,000 and is now presently at Rs 50,000.

The crisis at the bank is attributed to the loans allocated to realty firm the Housing Development Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) without scrutiny. These loans later turned into non-performing assets (NPAs).

The petitions were filed by persons claiming to be depositors and account-holders of the bank seeking withdrawal of restrictions imposed by the RBI.

Meanwhile, lawyer of one of the petitioners, Pradnya Talekar, told the bench that depositors should not bear the brunt of wrongdoings done by senior officials of the PMC bank and that the RBI cannot impose such withdrawal restrictions.

To this, the bench said the depositors cannot say that their rights are superior to that of the banks.

“How can this court say that the action initiated by RBI is contrary to the public interest or the depositor’s interest?” Justice Dharmadhikari asked.

While the bench was perusing the RBI affidavit, hundreds of PMC bank depositors gathered outside the HC building in south Mumbai and raised slogans against the apex bank in the afternoon.

They were not allowed to enter the court premises by police personnel.

The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which is probing the alleged Rs 4355-crore PMC bank scam, had arrested nine persons including four top bank officials and two promoters of HDIL –Rakesh and Sarang Wadhawan, apart from auditors.

On Saturday, the EOW arrested one of the PMC directors Rajneet Singh, son of former-BJP MLA Sardar Tara Singh.

The EOW suspects a nexus between some of the accused and the realty group HDIL, whose mammoth loan defaults are said to have caused a liquidity crisis at the bank, leading to appointment of administrator by the RBI and restrictions on withdrawal of funds.

The EOW had earlier told a sessions court that prima facie a nexus between some of the accused and HDIL group companies has been made out by the investigators who suspected a “deep-rooted conspiracy”.

Six people had died due to loss of money, it had said. Another investigator, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had attached assets of the Wadhawans.

Over Rs 6,500 crore of the bank’s advances of Rs 9,000 crore were made to either HDIL or dummy companies affiliated to it, which have gone sour.