Cabinet Approves Private FM Radio For 234 Uncovered New Cities; Here’s What It Means

New Delhi: In a significant and unique development in the story of India’s economic, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to hold third batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 channels in 234 new cities under Private FM Radio Phase III Policy. Moreover, the estimated reserve price has been pegged at Rs 784.87 crore and the project is expected to lead to creation of new employment opportunities
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here that the Cabinet also approved a proposal to charge an annual license fee (ALF) of FM channel as four per cent of gross revenue excluding GST. This will be applicable for 234 new cities / towns.
Private FM Radio Roll Out In 234 New Cities
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.
It will lead to creation of new employment opportunities, boost to local dialect and culture and ‘vocal for local’ initiatives, it underlined. 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.
Govt Approves 12 Projects To Transform Industrial Landscape
In a landmark decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved 12 new project proposals under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) worth Rs 28,602 crore.
The decision is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs through planned industrialisation. These industrial nodes will act as catalysts for achieving $2 trillion in exports by 2030, reflecting the government’s vision of a self-reliant and globally-competitive India.
With this decision, the country is set wear a grand necklace of industrial smart cities on the backbone of ‘Golden Quadrilateral.’
Spanning across 10 states and strategically planned along six major corridors, the industrial areas will be located in Khurpia in Uttarakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela, Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
(With inputs from agencies)