Bharti Airtel Ordered to Pay Rs 194 crore GST on License Fees and Spectrum Usage Charges

Bharti Airtel has been directed by the Goods and Service Tax Appellate Authority to pay Rs 194 crore GST on license fees and spectrum usage charges demanded by the Department of Telecom. The initial demand was Rs 604.66 crore, but it was reduced following an appeal by the company.

The Goods and Service Tax Appellate Authority has mandated that Bharti Airtel pays Rs 194 crore in GST for license fees and spectrum usage charges as demanded by the Department of Telecom, according to a regulatory filing made on Thursday.

The initial demand, totaling Rs 604.66 crore, was issued by the GST Department under the reverse charge mechanism based on a demand note from the Department of Telecommunications regarding license fee (LF) and spectrum usage charges (SUC).

Bharti Airtel filed an appeal against the order. 'On an appeal filed by the Company to Commissioner (Appeals), Central Goods and Service Tax Appellate Authority, Delhi, the Appellate Authority has passed an appeal order reducing the said demand to Rs 194 crore,' the company said. The order was received on August 21, and the company is now assessing its impact and planning further action.

(With inputs from agencies.)