Question : FM Radio Station

(a) the criteria/guidelines laid down for setting-up of Radio Stations including private Frequency Modulation (FM) Stations in the country;

(b) the number of FM Radio Stations including private FM Stations functioning in the country, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to set up FM Channels in various cities presently not covered and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-Wise;

(d) the projects undertaken for setting-up FM stations along with funds allocated for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year and the current status of these projects, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government for timely completion of these projects?

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE; MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY):

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 265 FOR ANSWER ON 07.08.2015
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The Cabinet, in its meeting held on 7.7.2011, approved the “Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III)” and the policy was notified on 25.07.2011. FM Phase-III Policy extends FM radio services to 227 new cities at Annexure-I, including 67 existing cities of FM phase-II having vacant channels. Therefore, FM phase-III would roll out a total of 839 new FM radio channels in 294 cities, state-wise details at Annexure-II. Phase-III policy envisages coverage of all cities with a population above one lakh, otherwise not covered, with private FM radio channels. Presently, 243 Private FM Radio channels are operational under existing Phase-II Policy. The State-wise, City-wise details of existing FM radio channels in Phase-II are at Annexure-III.
Under FM phase-III, cities having population more than 1 lac and not having an FM service from nearby city would be covered. In border areas of J&K and North East cities even with population less than 1 lac have been included in Phase-III.
The e-Auction for the first batch of FM Phase-III comprising 135 FM Channels in 69 cities began on 27th July 2015. After seven days of bidding, cumulative provisional winning price of around Rs 827 Crore was achieved against the total reserve price of first batch of Rs 550.18 crore. The e-auction process is continuing with complete transparency and objectivity.
As far as All India Radio (AIR) is concerned, at present, Frequency Modulation (FM) Radio Broadcasting Stations are functional from 378 locations (cities) in the country and is reaching to about 45% population of the country. State/UT-wise details of 378 FM Broadcasting Stations of AIR are given at Annexure-IV. The schemes for setting up of FM Broadcasting Stations at 114 new locations, State/UT-wise details at Annexure-V, in the country under 12th Plan was approved in March 2014. Location-wise, State/UT-wise details of projects undertaken by the AIR for setting-up FM stations during the last three years and current year, approved under 11th Plan, along with funds allocation and current status of these projects, are given at Annexure-VI.
As informed by Prasar Bharati, following steps have been taken by All India Radio to complete the schemes within stipulated time:
• Monitoring of projects has been strengthened by introducing the concept of Results Framework Document (RFD).

• The progress of projects is monitored through the system of budgetary control at the highest level in the Directorate.

• Officers from the Directorate and zonal offices frequently visit the project sites to overcome the bottlenecks on the spot.

• Time schedule for procurement and all other major activities of a project are drawn and the progress is monitored accordingly.
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