(a) whether the Government has any proposal to launch a Local Radio Station at
Konam in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu as a full fledged radio station;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether private FM broadcasting stations take away the profit of the State
own/run broadcasting stations; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(SHRI MANISH TEWARI)
(a) to (c): Prasar Bharati has informed that a Local Radio Station of All India Radio at
Nagarcoil in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu is already functioning as a full-fledged
radio station which covers Konam as well. At present, there is no proposal / scheme for
setting up of a separate AIR full-fledged local radio station at Konam in Kanyakumari
District.
(d) & (e): The objective of the Policy of expansion of FM radio broadcasting through
private agencies (Phase-II) is to attract private agencies to supplement the efforts
of All India Radio by operationalising radio stations that provide programmes with
local content and relevance, improving the quality and fidelity in reception and
generation, encouraging participation by local talent and generating employment.