New Delhi, Apr 2 (KNN) The Union Cabinet recently announced approval of the auction of 683 FM channels in over 236 cities in a bid to usher new and enhanced experience for listeners in fresh cities.

The new channels will help cater listeners in fresh cities that were uncovered by private FM radio and are also to prove instrumental towards rising income groups and evolving lifestyles, a release said.

The Minimum net-worth requirement for an Indian company to apply bid for permission for a PH-III radio channel in D category cities (cities having population from 1 lakh to 3 lakh as per 2001 census) is set to Rs 50 lakhs.

Further, permission for the channels shall be granted on the basis of Non-Refundable One-Time Entry Fee (NOTEF). Once the permission holder starts operating a FM channel, he will be liable to pay an annual fee to the government prescribed at 4 per cent of gross revenue or 2.5 per cent of NOTEF, whichever is higher.

The government has also put up a complete FM Phase III policy guidelines detailing the terms etc. for award of FM radio channels as well as Notice Inviting Application (NIA) on the Ministry’s official website.

The same can be accessed at mib.gov.in under the broadcasting tab by clicking on FM Radio Phase III.  Also queries in this regard can be directed to Yogendra Trihan, Dy Director (FM) at 011-23384547 or via email to y.trihan@nic.in . (KNN/DA)