New Delhi, December 12: The economy of the country is in doldrums and every industry is facing the heat of it. The chairman of Bharti Airtel, Sunil Mittal on Wednesday said that the telecom industry is passing through the most difficult period in the last 25 years and needs government help to pass through this phase.

According to a Times of India report, Mittal mentioned that the stress was aggravated after October 24 adjusted gross revenue (ADR) judgment of the Supreme Court. He asked for relief on the AGR dues demanded by the government. Vodafone-Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla Warns Centre of Business Closure in India, Says 'Will Have to Shut Shop if No Govt Relief'.

Mittal further said that the industry has gone through a crisis before as well, but this is one of the most difficult times for the industry. He repeatedly stressed how the government should extend their help in whatever form they can, including a reduction in levies charged on the telecom players.

A week back, Vodafone-Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said that he would consider shutting the telecom company if the government doesn't provide a relief of Rs 32,000 crore of input tax credit that it has sought. Last month, both Airtel and Vodafone-Idea had warned their ability to operate in the country lies on the government relief -- which they had sought.  Telecom players recently revised their tariffs by 10-45 percent on account of the financial difficulties and rising debt.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 12, 2019 09:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).