Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the third batch of e-auction proposals for 730 channels in 234 new cities under the Domestic FM Radio Phase III policy.
Of these, 19 private radio stations are in Odisha – Puri (3), Bhadrak (3), Balasore (3), Baripada (3), Berhampur (4), and Sambalpur (3).
The decision to implement domestic FM radio in 234 new cities/towns will fulfill the unmet demand of FM radio in these cities/towns, which is still untapped by domestic FM radio broadcasting and bring new/local content in mother tongue. This will create new employment opportunities, promote local language and culture and take ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives, a release issued by the PIB read.
Incidentally, most of the sanctioned cities/towns are in aspirational districts and Naxalite-affected areas and establishment of private FM radios in these areas will further strengthen government communication.
“The FM radio rollout will fulfill the unmet demand in new cities and towns, which remain uncovered by the private FM radio broadcasting, and bring new and local content in the mother tongue,” the PIB release read.
