 "Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ashwini, Vaishnaw")
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Cabinet also approved a proposal to charge an annual license fee of FM channels. | File Photo
The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a notification from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The private FM radio roll out in 234 new cities and towns will fulfil the unmet demand for FM radio in these areas which still remain uncovered by private FM radio broadcasting and bring new and local content in mother tongue, an official statement said.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Cabinet also approved a proposal to charge an annual license fee (ALF) of FM channels as four per cent of gross revenue excluding GST. This will be applicable for 234 new cities/ towns.
According to the government, this will lead to creation of new employment opportunities, boost to local dialect and culture and ‘vocal for local’ initiatives.
Many of the approved towns are in “aspirational districts” and “left-wing affected areas”. Setting up of private FM radio in these areas will further strengthen government outreach in these areas, the statement said.
Here’s the state-wise breakdown of FM channels approved by Centre:
Andaman & Nicobar: 3 channels
Andhra Pradesh: 61 channels
Assam: 18 channels
Bihar: 40 channels
Chhattisgarh: 9 channels
Daman & Diu: 3 channels
Gujarat: 24 channels
Haryana: 9 channels
J&K: 3 channels
Jharkhand: 18 channels
Karnataka: 42 channels
Kerala: 6 channels
Lakshadweep: 3 channels
Madhya Pradesh: 20 channels
Maharashtra: 38 channels
Manipur: 4 channels
Meghalaya: 3 channels
Mizoram: 3 channels
Nagaland: 9 channels
Odisha: 17 channels
Punjab: 21 channels
Rajasthan: 26 channels
Tamil Nadu: 11 channels
Telangana: 10 channels
Tripura: 3 channels
Uttar Pradesh: 30 channels
Uttarakhand: 6 channels
West Bengal: 24 channels
First Published: Aug 28 2024 | 7:17 PM IST
