New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said that soon the government will conduct an e-auction of 808 FM radio stations across 284 cities to further increase the footprint of radio communication. He also said that the government has simplified the process of getting a license to operate radio stations, particularly community radio, by reducing the number of compliances.
At present India has 388 FM radio stations in 113 cities across 26 states and five Union Territories, he added.
“Government is now planning a third batch of e-auction of 808 channels across 284 cities soon to further expand radio services,” Thakur said.
In remote areas the government is setting up radio towers to improve coverage.
With a focus on aspirational and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts, the government is planning to spread the FM network in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
In the beginning of this year, the government gave a nod to the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme which is expected to increase the coverage of AIR FM transmitters in the country to 66 per cent by geographical area and 80 per cent by population up from 59 per cent and 68 per cent respectively.
The scheme also envisages free distribution of more than eight lakh DD Free Dish set-top boxes to people living in remote, tribal, LWE affected and border areas.
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