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NEW DELHI: The Government is to allow bidders in Jammu and
Kashmir, the northeastern states, and the Island territories
to bid for FM Radio channels in the third phase even beyond
the national limit on ownership of channels of 15 per cent
per entity.
This
is being done to incentivise bidding for channels for these
areas, Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources told
indiantelevision.com.
FM
Broadcasters in Jammu and Kashmir, the northeastern states
and the island territories will be required to pay half the
rate of the annual license fee for an initial period of three
years from the date from which the licence fee becomes payable
and the permission period of 15 years begins.
The
concessional fee had also been revised for FM channels already
existing in these territories with effect of the issuance
of the Guidelines of the third phase of FM Radio expansion
in the country in July 2011.
The
third phase of FM Radio expansion in the northeast includes
31 in the seven states of the northeast, six in Jammu and
Kashmir, and nine in the island territories: three each in
Daman and Diu, Lakshdweep, and Andaman and Nicobar.
In
addition, 15 FM stations will be set up in border areas of
Jammu and Kashmir and 18 in the border areas of the seven
states of the north east.
Apart
from the fee relaxation, it is proposed that Prasar Bharati
infrastructure would be made available at half the lease rentals
for similar category cities in these areas.
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