We do not want to increase our stake beyond 49% in Vodafone Idea: Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

We do not want to increase our stake beyond 49% in Vodafone Idea: Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

• Government holds 49 percent stake in Vodafone Idea via AGR dues
• No fresh AGR relief planned for Airtel, says Scindia
• Starlink, Jio, OneWeb get satellite connectivity licences

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Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on February 27 spoke about government's plans for crisis-hit Vodafone Idea.

"We have a 49% stake in Vodafone with conversion of AGR dues, we have followed Supreme Court verdict. Things look promising as far as Vodafone is concerned," said Scindia at News18 Rising Bharat Summit.

We are equity holder in terms of Vodafone, but not in management, added Scindia. "It is for the management of Vodafone to chart their growth," he said.

On adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, Scindia recently ruled out any fresh executive intervention beyond what the apex court has permitted, signaling no immediate relief for Bharti Airtel, which has written to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking clarity and parity in the treatment of its liabilities.

“We are operating under a verdict of the Supreme Court. As far as AGR is concerned, it is based on that verdict that we have taken whatever action,” Scindia said, responding to queries on whether the government would extend AGR relief to Airtel.

His comments had come weeks after the Union Cabinet froze Vodafone Idea’s AGR dues at Rs 87,695 crore as of December 31, 2025, and approved a staggered repayment plan stretching from FY32 to FY41. The DoT has also initiated a reassessment of Vodafone Idea’s AGR liabilities for the period between FY07 and FY19, following Supreme Court rulings in October and November that allowed a recalculation.

On February 27, Scindia also said that satellite connectivity is mandatory, it is the job to ensure that every citizen has full bouquet of services.

"It is mandatory to have this technolgy, we have given out three licences and normative spectrum assignment: Starlink, Jio and Oneweb," he said.