(a) whether the Union Government propose to hand over the Radio network to private Indian Companies/multinational companies;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reasons therefor;
(a) whether the Union Government propose to hand over the Radio network to private Indian Companies/multinational companies;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reasons therefor;
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT (SHRI ARUN JAITELY)
(a),(b)&(c) The Government have decided to allow 100% Indian companies to set up 108 FM Radio Stations in 40 cities in the first phase, which will supplement and not replace the services being provided by All India Radio. The basic objective behind lecencing the private FM Stations is to give radio listeners more choice by making available more programmes with localised flavour in terms of content and relevance, in addition to generating employment opportunity by bringing the private sector resources to the Radio broadcasting sector.