No proposal to increase FDI limit in FM radio - I&B Ministry

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
The Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has said that there is no proposal to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in FM radio.

In a written reply, the I&B Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, said as per the policy, the private FM broadcasters are free to air the audio on main carrier and data on sub carriers, both excluding news and current affairs. The I&B Ministry also does not propose to allow FM radio stations to broadcast news and current affairs in the near future too.

Currently, FDI and FII investment up to 20 per cent of the equity capital is allowed in any private FM radio company. Earlier a committee on the radio broadcast policy recommended 26 per cent FDI in the radio sector, it has suggested a cap of 26 per cent on FDI (including that on foreign debt funding), while opining in favour of private broadcasters being allowed to transmit news and current affairs programmes also.