The Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Culture today deliberated on the issue of Private FM Radio Stations, which are slated to come out during the second phase of FM radio. The members were apprised that the guidelines related to tender floatation were at the advanced stage of preparation and notification for inviting the tenders would be coming out very soon. Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Culture, Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, who chaired the meeting said that Government’s emphasis in this phase is on expansion of the FM radio network, and not profitability. Measures have been put in place to tackle the stumbling blocks faced during the first phase, to ensure a smooth sailing, he added. The Minister apprised the members of the improvements related to licence fee, ownership of number of channels, eligibility criteria, bidder capability and networking etc., introduced in the phase II to make the ventures viable for both the Government as well as prospective players. He said that effort had been made to ensure that litigation is kept at bay by deliberating broad issues with the concerned interest groups before the guidelines were finalized. The experience of the first phase was kept in view in drafting guidelines for the next phase. 336 private FM radio stations in 90 cities are to be put for bidding in the second phase.
Some of the members expressed concern over the mandatory sharing of Prasar Bharati infrastructure by the private players. The Minister said that co-location was imperative to ensure non-congestion of spectrum space. Also it would save time and reduce financial burden of the private operators. The members felt that with the steps taken to preclude non-serious bidders, the phase II of private FM radio stations is expected to be a success.
Those who attended the meeting included, S/Shri Kirip Chaliha, Dinsha Patel, S. Mallikarjunaiah, Hannan Mollah, S. Sudhakar Reddy, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Ramdas Athawale, P.K. Maheshwari, Vijay J. Darda, E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Ajay Maroo and Dr. S. Jatiya all MPs, Shri S.K. Arora, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and other senior officers of the I&B Ministry.
RS/AS
(Release ID :11482)