Yesterday, it was mentioned in this blog that the private telcos may be fined about Rs. 823 crore for cheating the government on showing reduced revenue for calculation of payment of revenue share to the government. Now it has been reported that these companies have been ordered to pay by the DOT a total amount of Rs. 1,600 crore including penalty. The details of the penalty to be paid by these five companies are as follows:

1. Reliance                 Rs. 551 crore

2. Bharti Airtel         Rs. 292 crore

3. Vodafone              Rs. 254 crore

4. Idea                       Rs. 113  crore

5. Tata                       Rs. 273 crore.

But whether the companies will pay the fine? Naturally, they will pressurise the government, approach the TDSAT and Courts and somehow ensure that the penalties are not paid. The government will succumb at last. This is our experience.