(a) whether Government provides incentives for FM radio operations across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether Government is satisfied with the result achieved, so far?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C.M. JATUA)
(a) & (b): Cabinet, in its meeting held on 7.7.2011, has approved the ‘Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III)’. For promotion of private FM radio, policy proposes to enhance FDI + FII from 20% to 26%, news bulletins of All India Radio (AIR) in an unaltered form has been permitted, networking of channels within a broadcaster’s channel has been allowed and multiples channels in a city has also been permitted. Policy also proposes special incentives for North East Region and Jammu and Kashmir and Island territories.
Salient features of the approved policy for Phase-III as against Phase-II are enclosed at Annexure.
(a) the present policy to cover the FM radio services both private and public sectors to the cities across the country; and
(b) the details of targets fixed and achievements made?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C.M. JATUA)
(a): Private Sector:
Presently, 245 FM channels are operational under existing Phase-II Policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies. Further, as per approved policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies in Phase-III, Government proposes to extend FM radio service to about 227 new cities, in addition to the present 86 cities, with a total of 839 new private FM radio channels in 294 cities. Phase-III policy will result in coverage of all cities with a population of one lakh and above except private FM radio channels in North East (NE) Region and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Island territories, which are having a population of less than 1 lakh.
-2- Public Sector :
Presently, All India Radio (AIR) FM service is provided from 217 places across the country and the coverage in FM Mode is by 41.43% of population of the country. For covering the entire country by FM channels, huge funds are required. Therefore, FM expansion in the country is being taken up in the phased manner depending upon availability of funds, and inter-se priority.
(b): Private Sector:
As per time schedule for implementation of Policy Guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting through private agencies, (Phase-III), ascending e-auction process is to be initiated for issuing permissions for FM radio channels in batches over a period of 3 years with the approval of Hon’ble Minister in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Public Sector:
As regards, AIR, the scheme for installation of 311 new FM Transmitters of various capacities in the country was approved during 11th Plan, 173 nos. of Transmitters under the Continuing Scheme and 138 nos. of Transmitters under the new scheme and their current status is as below:
S.No.. 11th Plan Scheme No. of New FM Tr. approved Transmitters installed till March’2012 Transmitters in Progress Pending due to non-allotment of Site from State Govts. 1 Continuing Scheme 173 126 41 6
(a) whether Government provides incentives for FM radio operations across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether Government is satisfied with the result achieved, so far?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C.M. JATUA)
(a) & (b): Cabinet, in its meeting held on 7.7.2011, has approved the ‘Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III)’. For promotion of private FM radio, policy proposes to enhance FDI + FII from 20% to 26%, news bulletins of All India Radio (AIR) in an unaltered form has been permitted, networking of channels within a broadcaster’s channel has been allowed and multiples channels in a city has also been permitted. Policy also proposes special incentives for North East Region and Jammu and Kashmir and Island territories.
Salient features of the approved policy for Phase-III as against Phase-II are enclosed at Annexure.
(a) the present policy to cover the FM radio services both private and public sectors to the cities across the country; and
(b) the details of targets fixed and achievements made?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C.M. JATUA)
(a): Private Sector:
Presently, 245 FM channels are operational under existing Phase-II Policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies. Further, as per approved policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies in Phase-III, Government proposes to extend FM radio service to about 227 new cities, in addition to the present 86 cities, with a total of 839 new private FM radio channels in 294 cities. Phase-III policy will result in coverage of all cities with a population of one lakh and above except private FM radio channels in North East (NE) Region and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Island territories, which are having a population of less than 1 lakh.
-2- Public Sector :
Presently, All India Radio (AIR) FM service is provided from 217 places across the country and the coverage in FM Mode is by 41.43% of population of the country. For covering the entire country by FM channels, huge funds are required. Therefore, FM expansion in the country is being taken up in the phased manner depending upon availability of funds, and inter-se priority.
(b): Private Sector:
As per time schedule for implementation of Policy Guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting through private agencies, (Phase-III), ascending e-auction process is to be initiated for issuing permissions for FM radio channels in batches over a period of 3 years with the approval of Hon’ble Minister in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Public Sector:
As regards, AIR, the scheme for installation of 311 new FM Transmitters of various capacities in the country was approved during 11th Plan, 173 nos. of Transmitters under the Continuing Scheme and 138 nos. of Transmitters under the new scheme and their current status is as below:
S.No.. 11th Plan Scheme No. of New FM Tr. approved Transmitters installed till March’2012 Transmitters in Progress Pending due to non-allotment of Site from State Govts. 1 Continuing Scheme 173 126 41 6
