Govt earned over Rs 35,792 cr from telcos in last three years

The government on Monday said it has earned a total revenue of about Rs 35,792 crore (Rs 357.92 billion) from telecom companies under various charges during the last three years.

It has earned Rs 61 crore (Rs 610 million) so far in the current fiscal.

The government earned revenue of Rs 11,396.2 crore (Rs 113.96 billion) in 2011-12, Rs 11,439.27 crore (Rs 114.39 billion) in 2012-13 and Rs 12,957.42 crore (Rs 129.57 billion) in 2013-14 from various telecom companies, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He said Rs 19,495.09 crore (Rs 194.95 billion) have been earned from 2011-12 to 2013-14 and current year (up to June 2014) towards spectrum charges.

The government has Rs 13,200.58 crore (Rs 132 billion) as outstanding amount from telecom operators including spectrum charges and licence fee.

The government also has an outstanding amount of Rs 13,363.22 crore (Rs 133.63 billion) from mobile operators whose licences were cancelled by the Supreme Court.

Prasad said the government has issued demand notices and penalties imposed on telecom operators for not paying spectrum charges and licence fee.