The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Warangal News : Plans to prop up private radio channels

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 15, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Warangal

Plans to prop up private radio channels

Staff Reporter

Tenders to be called for extension of FM

WARANGAL: The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, S. Jaipal Reddy, has said the Government proposes to accord sanctions to more private operators launching new radio channels though it would result in revenue loss to All India Radio.

The Government proposes to strengthen the radio network and has decided to call for tenders next month for the extension of Frequency Modulation (FM) network in the country.

Speaking to newsmen after inaugurating the Doordarshan studio here on Thursday, Mr. Jaipal Reddy said it was also decided to allow more community radio channels and hoped that 4,000 community radio stations would come up in the near future. "There will be a new revolution in the radio network," he pointed out.

DTH services

On Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, the Union Minister explained that except for India no country was offering the service free of cost and the Government proposes to spend Rs. 400 crores more on it to improve the quality and to offer it to a wider section of society. "There are two companies offering DTH, but they are charged. Doordarshan is offering 33 channels at present and is likely to add 17 more in the next three months," he said.

The Government would soon bring out legislation envisaging setting up a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority to check obscenity on television in June.

Entertainment tax

Referring to entertainment tax, Mr. Jaipal Reddy said the tax in the country ranges from 80 to 100 per cent and with a view to reduce the same, the Central Government has called for a meeting of Information Ministers of all the States on April 16 and 17 and efforts would be made to bring it down for the benefit of the people.

The Minister also said the Central Government was also considering creation of a body on the lines of Press Council of India for television channels.

On foreign direct investment in print media, Mr. Jaipal Reddy said there was no proposal to enhance it from the existing 26 per cent.

Telangana issue

Asked to comment on separate statehood to Telangana, Mr. Jaipal Reddy refused to do so stating that he was not supposed to express his views except in the Cabinet meetings or with the Prime Minister.

The Prasar Bharati chief executive officer, K.S. Sarma, the Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, the Civil Supplies Minister, K. Vijayarama Rao, the District Collector, N. Siva Sankar, and others were present at the inauguration of the Doordarshan studio.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Plans to prop up private radio channels

"Phule's ideals still relevant"