India: DoT seeks $232m to clear way for Airtel-Tikona merger

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has in a letter dated 17 August asked Bharti Airtel Ltd to pay in cash and through a bank guarantee a total of Rs1,626.89 crore to clear its merger with Bharti Digital Networks (formerly known as Tikona Digital Networks). Airtel has, however, approached the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) seeking a stay on the DoT demand.