Document text
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:3134
ANSWERED ON:16.03.2010
EXTENSION OF FM CHANNELS
Dhruvanarayana Shri R. ;Paranjpe Shri Anand Prakash
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has finalised the policy for operationalisation of FM-Phase Ill;
(b) if so, whether any request has been received from the existing private FM operators for extension of their contract for a further
period of five years;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the action taken thereon;
(d) whether the services of FM channels cover the whole country;
(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C. M. JATUA)
(a) No, Sir. The matter is under consideration of the Government and the guidelines are under finalization.
(b) and (c) Yes, Sir. A request has been received from the industry forum and it is under consideration of the Government.
(d) and (e) No, Sir. at present only 24.68 % area and 35.84 % population of the country is covered by FM broadcasting service of AIR.
State-wise coverage is enclosed as Annexure-l. Presently 172 FM radio Transmitters of AIR are functioning in the country. Details are
given as Annexure-ll. Besides, 248 private FM radio stations are also operational in the country. The State-wise details are given as
Annexure-lll.
(f) Due to insufficient plan funds and non-sanction of O&M staff for new projects, limited FM expansion has been proposed in the 11th
Plan. After implementation of schemes under 11th Plan, AIR coverage in FM mode would be increased to 35.12 % by area and 46.73
% by population.