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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:3026
ANSWERED ON:21.03.2002
LICENCEES TO PRIVATE FM COMPANIES FOR FM STATIONS
A. VENKATESH NAIK;N.N. KRISHNADAS;SURESH KODIKUNNIL
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government have issued licences to the private companies for operating FM station;
(b) if so, the names thereof, State-wise;
(c) the number of licences issued so far;
(d) whether the licence holders have started the operation of the FM stations;
(e) if not, the reason therefor;
(f) whether they have asked for extension of time;
(g) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(i) whether some licence holder has surrendered their FM licences of non- metro cities due to high fees; and
(j) if so, the amount of money forfeited given as bank guarantee?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)
(a), (b) & (c): Yes, Sir. Licence Agreements have beensigned with 16 private companies in respect of 37 stations in 19 cities. The
details are as at Annexure.
(d): Licence holders of FM stations at Bangalore, Indore, Lucknow and Ahmedabad have started operations.
(e), 0) & (g): The licencees have asked for extension of time quoting problems in setting up colocated facilities, obtaining requisite
clearances etc. In Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, the licencees have been given extension of time to setup colocated facilities on Prasar
Bharati’s towers by 29th August,2002. In Mumbai, the licenceeshave been given time to setup colocated facilities by 29th
December,2003. During this period, they have been permitted to operationalise individuals stations to be set up by 29th April,2002. In
the case of 7 non-metros, the licencees have paid the balance of the licence fee for the first year and have been granted a deemed
operationalised station status.
(i): Yes, Sir.
(j): Bank guarantees of Rs. 1,90,00,000/-(Rs. One crore ninety lakhs only) have beenencashed. Encashment of Bank guarantees of
Rs. 25, 42,50,000/- (Rs. Twenty five crore, forty two lakhs and fifty thousands only) has been stayed by Mumbai High Court.
ANNEXUREREFERRED TO PARTS (a), (b) & (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRRADESTION NO.30260R ANSWEFPON
21.03.2002
S.No. Name of state No. of FM Name of the companies
stations
1. Andhra Pradesh 3 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Vertex B’casting Co. Ltd
Udaya TV Ltd.
2. Bihar 1 Music B’cast Pvt. Ltd.
Gujarat 1 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Karnatka 1 Music B’cast Pvt. Ltd.
Maharashtra 7 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd
Radio today (Mumbai),
Millenium(Mumbai) B’cast Pvt. Ltd
Radio-Mid day west (India) Ltd.
Music B’cast Pvt. Ltd.
Madhya Pradesh 4 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Vertex B’casting Co. Ltd
NCT Delhi 5 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Radio today (Delhi)
Music B’cast Pvt. Ltd
Millenium(Delhi) B*cast Pvt. Ltd
Mid day Radio North (India) Ltd
Orissa 2 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Tamil Nadu 6 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Mid day B’casting South (India) Ltd.
Millenium(Chennai) B’cast Pvt. Ltd
Sun TV Pvt. Ltd.
Uttar Pradesh 2 lusic B°cast Pvt. Ltd
Entertainment Network (India) Ltd
West Bengal 5 Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Vertex B’casting Co. Ltd.
Radio today (Calcutta)
India FM Radio Pvt. Ltd.
Hitz FM Radio Pvt. Ltd.