(a) the number of various companies engaged in radio broadcasting;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government for progress/development in the field of broadcasting;
(c) whether the Government is considering to issue new guidelines with regard to a broad-roadmap specifically pertaining to content of programme to be broadcast; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND
MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) At present 41 Indian private companies are engaged in radio broadcasting services under Phase-III. 381 Private FM Radio channels in 107 cities spread across 27 States and 3 UTs in the country).
(b) Prasar Bharati has informed that development progress/modernization of AIR Network is a continuous process and has been carried out as per approved projects under Central Sponsored Schemes. 3-year action plan (April 2017 to March 2020) for strengthening broadcast infrastructure of AIR has been approved. An outlay of Rs.435.04 crores has been allotted under this action plan.
Major steps taken by Television for progress/development in the field of broadcasting are:
(i) Development of online portal viz. BroadcastSeva in which all applications are received online ensuring efficient and transparent regime for management and growth of the broadcasting;
(ii) Access provided to the applicants to track the status of their applications;
(iii) For expediting permission from D/o Space (DoS), access to BroadcastSeva has been extended to them for processing online applications and conveying clearance to this Ministry;
(iv) Annual renewal process changed to annual fee payment only.
(v) Doing away with the provision of the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines relating to mandatory experience of key management personnel and
(vi) Doing away with the requirement of referring files to M/o Corporate Affairs by obtaining information through empanelled CAs and M/o Corporate Affairs portal.
(c) & (d) : No such new guidelines is under consideration of the Government.
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