AMN /Bhubaneswar /
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has said the government is planning to allow private radio channels to broadcast news of All India Radio soon.
Delivering the concluding address of the Outreach International Radio Fair 2016 in Bhubaneswar yesterday, the Minister said this granting of permission to broadcast AIR news programmes in FM network, would increase the popularity and acceptance of radio at local level. He said, radio is again getting popular and the government is keen on expanding its growth through private players as well.
Mr. Rathore said following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat programme, radio has got a new lease of life. He said, Central Government has strategised a systematic approach for development of existing radio stations and installation of new ones.
The Minister said, currently 45 per cent of the country’s geographical area is covered by FM radio broadcasting while it would go up to 65 per cent in next 2 to 3 years. Mr. Rathore said, the government is planning to set up at least 3 FM radio stations in cities more than one lakh population. He said, in Odisha, the government has decided to organise an auction of four private radio stations in the state in a bid to promote radio.