The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has issued demand notices to six telecom operators including Vodafone India, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular to pay over Rs 427 crore for allegedly evading anti-dumping duty while importing digital transmission products from China and Israel.
"Vodafone has been asked to pay Rs 333.34 crores, Bharti Airtel Rs 46.43 crores and Idea Rs 9.38 crores. Over and above the said amount, the telecom companies have also been asked to pay interest," said a senior Finance Ministry official.
A week ago, DRI has issued a show-cause cum demand notice to telecom major Vodafone and its two subsidiaries for allegedly evading anti-dumping duty.
Vodafone imported Synchronisation Digital Hierarchy (SDH) based transmission equipment from China by declaring it as non-SDH equipment, for allegedly evading the duty, according DRI.
Director General Anti-Dumping was initiated action after a local Indian manufacturer Tejas Networks filed a complaint against cheap imports from China and other countries. The show cause notices to the telecom companies were issued between December 23 and January 5.
On the other hand, Airtel has paid Rs 26.17 crores while Idea has deposited Rs 4.70 crores. Both companies and the other three firms have agreed to pay the remaining amount soon.
Since, telecom service provider Vodafone India has not paid up, DRI plans to take up the matter for adjudication.
