(a) Whether the Task Force set up by the Government to consider the policies and norms for participants
of private radio operators for wide coverage of population in the country has submitted their report ;
(b) If so, the details of the recommendations made by the said Task Force ;
(c) The action taken/being taken by the Government on such recommendations; and
(d) The number of FM Radio Stations being operated under All India Radio and operating under private
sector separately, State-wise ?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI P.R.DASMUNSI)
(a) Yes, Sir.The Government on 24.7.2003 constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Amit Mitra,
Secretary General, FICCI to make recommendations for FM radio broadcasting through Private agencies.
(b) The Committee submitted its recommendations to the Ministry in November, 2003.The recommendations
of the Committee are available on the Ministry’s website www.mib.nic.in.
(c) The Government , after examination of the Committee’s recommendation and other relevant factors, approved
a new policy of expansion of FM Radio broadcasting service through private agencies (Phase-II) which was
notified on 13.07.2005. Under the new policy, the Government invited bids for 337 channels in 91 cities across the
country.Out of 337 channels, agreement was signed with private operators for operationalisation of 245 channels
after successful bidding. Presently 102 FM channels are operational including 21 FM channels operationalised
under the Phase-I scheme.
(d) The number of FM Radio Stations being operated under All India Radio and private sector, State-wise has
been indicated in Annexure.