The Cabinet has approved rolling out Private FM Radio to 234 uncovered new cities and towns in a bid to to boost local content in mother tongue and create new employment opportunities.
“The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for conduct of 3rd batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 channels in 234 new cities with estimated reserve price of Rs.784.87 crore under Private FM Radio Phase Ill Policy,” said an official release.
Here’s The State-wise list of the cities / towns and the number of Private FM channels approved for fresh auctions:
“The Private FM Radio rollout in 234 new cities / towns will fulfil the unmet demand for FM radio in these cities / towns, which still remain uncovered by Private FM radio broadcasting and bring new / local content in mother tongue,” said the release.
It will lead to creation of new employment opportunities, boost to local dialect and culture and ‘vocal for local’ initiatives. Many of the approved cities / towns are in Aspirational districts and LWE affected areas. Setting up of Private FM Radio in these areas will further strengthen Government outreach in these areas, it added.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal to charge Annual License Fee (ALF) of FM channel as 4% of Gross Revenue excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST). This will be applicable for 234 new cities / towns.
