Lok Sabha Question No. 385 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-22
Subject: Private FM Radio Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*385 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2018)

## PRIVATE FM RADIO CHANNELS *385 SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  comprehensive  expansion  of  private  FM  radio  channels  is  taking  place across the country under the policy of providing entertainment to the common man and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said channels are likely to have comprehensive access to the cities with low population and the rural areas adjacent to these cities, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  private  channels  get  regular  advertisements  of  the  schemes  of  the Central  Government,  the  State  Governments  and  the  local  bodies  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is considering to allow these channels to broadcast news and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether there is any guideline to ensure quality/social standard of the contents of the programmes  and  the  ratio  of  songs  and  advertisements  to  be  broadcast  by  the private channels and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *385 FOR ANSWER ON 22.03.2018

- (a) & (b) It is stated that the Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on 7.7.2011, approved the 'Policy Guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting service through private agencies (Phase-III)  which  was  notified  on  25.7.2011'.    Under  the  Policy,  permission  for  FM  radio channels  are  awarded  through  ascending  e-auction  process,  in  batches.    FM  Phase-III Policy seeks to extend FM radio services to about 227 new cities, in addition to the existing 67  cities,  with  a  total  of  839  new  FM  radio  channels  in  294  cities.    The  Phase-III  policy covers all cities with a population of one lakh and above besides 11 border area towns of J&K, NE States and Island territories having population less than one lakh. (c)          Directorate  of  Advertising  &  Visual  Publicity  (DAVP)  being  the  nodal  advertising department of the Government of India, releases advertisement as per the requirements, allocated  budget,  target  audience  etc.  in  accordance  with  'Policy  guidelines  for  the empanelment  of Private  FM  Radio stations and fixation of rates for  Government advertisements by DAVP 2016'. (d)    The permission holders are 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,  in  addition  to  the  broadcast  pertaining  to  certain  categories  like  information pertaining to sporting events excluding live coverage, live commentaries of sporting events of local nature, information pertaining to Traffic and Weather, coverage of cultural events, festivals, coverage  of  topics pertaining to examinations,  results,  admissions,  career counselling,  availability  of  employment  opportunities,  public  announcements, pertaining  to civic amenities like electricity, water supply, natural calamities, health alerts etc. as provided by the local administration. (e)            In  accordance  with  the  FM  Phase-III  Policy  guidelines,  the  Permission  holder  is required  to  follow  the  same  programme and  advertisement  code as followed  by  All  India Radio, as amended from time to time or any acceptable code, which the central Govt. may
- prescribe from time to time.

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