A "desk officer's" letter asking that no coercive action be taken against telecom companies for not paying dues was the trigger for the Supreme Court's tongue-lashing for the government and a notice to telecom companies for contempt. The top court summoned the officer besides telecom bosses over non-payment of dues of Rs 92,000 crore as Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR). The Department of Telecom, given one hour to withdraw the letter, has now done so.
