Leading telecom firms, inclduing Reliance Communications, Bharti, Idea and state-run MTNL, owe over Rs 127 crore to the government, arising out of default in payment of annual licence fee, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for IT and Communications Milind Deora said that private firms have defaulted to the tune of Rs 99.35 crore while MTNL has to pay Rs 27.81 crore to the government.

"Notices of demands and reminders are issued by the Department of Telecom (DoT). Various legal cases are being contested by the Department at different fora," he said.

The minister pointed out that Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited has outstanding due of Rs 27.81 crore, Aircel Rs 18.91 crore, RCom with its subsidiary Reliance Telecom account for Rs 49.04 crore, Idea Cellular Rs 13.74 crore and Bharti Airtel Rs 17.66 crore.

Deora said that these companies during year 2010-11 have paid Rs 4,037.33 crore to DoT, Rs 3,965.37 crore in 2009-10 and Rs 4,007.35 crore in 2008-09. In reply to another question, he mentioned list of 46 telecom companies are yet to pay over Rs 1,366.32 crore interconnect usage charge to state run telecom company BSNL.

While ten companies have to pay over Rs 13.45 crore to MTNL. IUC charges are paid by one company to other for using network of other companies to complete calls of its subscribers.

Tata Group companies, including Tata Teleservices and Tata Communications, have maximum outstanding IUC dues amounting to over Rs 290.18 crore, followed by RCom with Rs 252.44 crore and Bharti Airtel for Rs 250.61 crore to both the state run telecom companies.