Cabinet greenlights 234 new FM stations including 3 in Anantnag

New Delhi, Aug 28: To enhance local content in regional languages and generate new employment opportunities, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Wednesday approved the proposal to conduct the third batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 private FM radio channels in 234 new cities.

Three channels are proposed for Anantnag in south Kashmir.

The auctions are set under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy with an estimated reserve price of Rs 784.87 crore.

A detailed list of the cities and towns along with the number of private FM channels approved for fresh auctions has also been provided.

The cabinet has also sanctioned an Annual License Fee (ALF) for FM channels, set at 4 percent of gross revenue, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST), applicable to the new cities and towns.

The expansion of Private FM Radio into these 234 new locations aims to meet the demand for FM radio services in areas that currently lack such coverage.

The rollout is anticipated to introduce fresh and local content in the mother tongue, strengthening regional dialects and cultures.

This initiative aligns with the government's ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and is expected to create new employment opportunities in the broadcasting sector.

Many of the cities and towns included in this phase are located in aspirational districts and regions affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), including three channels approved for Anantnag.