Govt to e-auction 266 private FM radio channels; 69 new cities to be added

The government has invited applications for the e-auction of 266 FM radio channels in the second batch of Private FM Phase III, a release from Press Information Bureau, said. 

In this second phase, 266 new channels will be auctioned off, with 227 channels in 69 new cities. 

This is the first time that new cities will get added to the e-auction. According to the statement, in the first batch only existing cities got new channels through the e-auction. 

Or of the 266 FM Radio channels up for auction, 

-- 277 will be in 69 new cities
-- 39 channels will be in 23 existing cities. 

The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the e-auction has details of the eligibility criteria, application procedures, reserve prices of the channels, frequencies available for the selection, auction rules, and so on.

Entities interested to partake in the e-auction have been given until 5 pm on August 1, 2016 to submit their proposals. 

The release said, 36 channels in 14 cities out of the total 266 will get special incentives in Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States to set up FM radio channels there. This includes provision of annual fees for the channels at half the rates for the first three years, apart from the provision of Prasar Bharati Infrastructure at half the lease rentals, it said. 

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