Vodafone Idea Shares Drop 4.5% as SC Defers AGR Plea to Oct 13

a (VIL) shares plunged 4.5% on Oct 6 after the Supreme Court deferred the telco's AGR dues plea to Oct 13, granting the government's request for more time—VIL's counsel raised no objections. The plea challenges DoT's fresh Rs 5,606 crore demand for FY 2016-17, seeking a comprehensive re-assessment of dues up to that period per 2020 guidelines. Shares traded 4.4% lower at Rs 8.43 by 12:15 pm. Background: SC rejected a 2021 review bid by VIL and Bharti Airtel on AGR calculations. Govt has hinted at solutions, with last month's court note on potential resolution. Per Bloomberg (Oct 6), India eyes a one-time settlement for the ~Rs 2 lakh crore dispute, via interest/penalty waivers and principal concessions, while drafting safeguards against challenges from other operators like Airtel.