Question : FM Service

(a) whether a large number of villages are yet to be covered under FM Service across the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise;

(b) the norms/criteria laid down by the Government for setting up of Radio Stations in the country;

(c) the cases of violation of said norms/criterion coming to the notice of the Government since approval of “Policy Guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III)” in the country along with action taken/being taken thereon;

(d) the number of complaints received by the Government for irregularities/corruption in e-auction of FM channels of Phase-III along with action taken/being taken thereon; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to cover each and every village by FM Service?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
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(a), (b) & (e) Prasar Bharati is currently operating 506 All India Radio (AIR) FM transmitters of various capacities (ranging from 100 Watt to 20 kW) at 467 locations providing around 55% area-wise and 65% population-wise coverage across the country including various villages in India. FM Radio Stations of AIR operate through high power transmitters that cover large areas of urban agglomerations and generally cover surrounding villages of the particular city/town. Prasar Bharati implements the projects for setting up of AIR FM Radio Stations as approved by Government under Central Sponsored Schemes to provide coverage in uncovered, border and remote areas across the count
In so far as Private FM Radio is concerned, the Policy on expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting services through Private Agencies (Phase-III) approved by Union Cabinet on 07.07.2011 seeks to extend FM radio services to 227 new and uncovered cities. The private FM radio Phase-III Policy is city centric and mandates to cover all cities having population above one lakhs as per census 2001 with private FM radio channels. Further, 11 towns in Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Union Territory of Ladakh, North East & Island Territories having population less than one lakh have also been approved for setting up FM radio stations. The copy of the complete policy guidelines including eligibility criteria is available on the Ministry’s website (www.mib.gov.in).

(c ) No such cases of violation of said norms/criterion have come to the notice of the Government.

(d) No complaints have been received.
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