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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:735
ANSWERED ON:74.08.202
IMPEDIMENTS TO FM RADIO SERVICES
Jakhar Shri Badri Ram
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether there are any impediments to the rollout of FM radio services in the country including in rural areas;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) the locations identified to provide FM radio services in various parts of the country under its Phase-lll policy, State-wise and
location-wise; and
(d) the time by which the services of new FM stations under phase-lll is likely to be provided in the country including Rajasthan,
location-wise?
Answer
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C.M. JATUA)
(a) & (b): Cabinet, in its meeting held on 7.7.20, has approved the ‘Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM Radio broadcasting
services through private agencies (Phase-lll )'. While taking action for implementation of the Phase Ill policy, a few issues, like
charging of migration fee from existing permission holders, specific departures in the Request For Proposals (RFP) etc., which are
not covered under the Phase Ill policy have arisen. As this is the first time that private FM radio channels are proposed to be e-
auctioned, it is anticipated that some other issues may also crop up during this process which would require decisions, that would
need specific approvals beyond the existing Cabinet approval. Draft Cabinet Note in this regard has already been circulated to all the
concerned Ministries/Departments.
(c) & (d): As per approved policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies in Phase-lll,
Government proposes to expand FM radio services to a total of 839 new private FM radio channels in 294 cities. Under Phase-lll
Policy, 45 private FM radio channels are proposed in Rajasthan. All the channels in Phase-lll in the country, including those of
Rajasthan would be auctioned through an e-auction process in batches over a period of 3 years, with the approval of Hon'ble Minister
in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. State-wise and location-wise list of private channels of Phase-lll including Rajasthan are
at Annexure.