Question : REVIEW OF TV AND RADIO LICENCES

(a) whether the Government has directed the TV/Radio channels to give details of their operational status;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether certain TV/Radio channel operators have been found to be derelict in following licensing norms;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of licences cancelled and the reasons therefor channel -wise;

(e) whether there are reports that certain TV/Radio operators despite having obtained licence have not commenced their operations; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken against them ?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C. M. JATUA)

(a) and (b) Yes, Sir. As per Uplinking/Downlinking guidelines of the Ministry, the companies are required to operationalize TV channels within one year of granting permission. This Ministry has asked the permitted channels to indicate the operational status of their channels.

Similarly Permission holders for community radio stations have been asked to intimate the operational status of the permitted stations.

With regard to FM Radio Stations 266 permissions were granted for setting up Private FM Radio Stations. Out of 266 Stations, 245 are already operational, 20 permissions have been cancelled. One Private FM Radio Station at Aizawl is yet to be operationalized, as the Common Transmission Infrastructure (CTI) is not yet ready in Aizawl.

(c) to (f) Yes, Sir. One TV channel, namely, ‘Satya TV’ was not operationalized within the stipulated period of one year. The permission granted to the channel was cancelled. Regarding private FM channels, permission in respect of 20 private FM radio stations has been cancelled for violation of terms and conditions of the Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA). The details are annexed.