Capital Infusion In Vodafone Idea Under Discussion, Says Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Debt-ridden telecom firm Vodafone Idea has various requirements, including infusion of capital, and discussions on this front are going on, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday.

Vodafone Idea, reeling under debt burden of over Rs 2 lakh crore, has opted for converting about Rs 16,000 crore of interest liability payable to the government into equity, which will amount to around a 33% stake in the company while promoters' holding will come down to 50% from 74.99%.

"Vodafone (Idea) has many requirements. It has a particular requirement of capital. How much capital, who will infuse? All those things are under discussion at this point of time," Vaishnaw said.

VIL has offered a stake to the government at a par of Rs 10 per share and the government is waiting for the company's shares to stabilise at Rs 10 apiece.

"The responsibility of capital has to come from various sources. The company just doesn't require conversion. It requires capital. All those things are a complex issue," Vaishnaw said.