FM Radio Station To Be set Up In Cities With 1 Lakh Population : I&B Minister Rathore

20 March, New Delhi

The Union Government is committed to set up FM Radio stations in all cities with a population of one lakh and above in the future.

Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha Friday , minister of state for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, private FM channels are not permitted to broadcast news under the existing FM Radio (Phase II) policy guidelines.

The minister however, said under the guidelines approved for FM Radio phase III, permission holders shall be permitted to carry the news bulletins of All India Radio in exactly same format, on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed with Prasar Bharati.

He said news pertaining to traffic and weather, availability of employment opportunities and cultural events can be broadcast by private FM channels. The minister said thrust is being given to start private FM stations in Left Wing Extremism areas, Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States.

He said that 67 new transmitters towers will be erected in these areas. He said government will also ensure minimum 18 hour broadcast from existing FM stations.

Col Rathore said the government is absolutely open to start news being aired by private FM stations. He, however, said without a proper monitoring mechanism it should not be broadcast as anti-social elements may create disturbances in the society.