Govt earned Rs 133 cr from private FM channels since FY06-07 .

       The government  said it has earned a total revenue of Rs 133 crore so far from private FM radio broadcasters since the fiscal year 2006-07. 

        In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said up to September of this fiscal, All India Radio (AIR) has earned a revenue of Rs 31.89 crore through its various channels. 

         In a statement laid on the table of the house, the minister said revenues from the private FM operators were in the form of licence fees. 

        In 2009-10 fiscal, the fee amounted to Rs 23.9 crore, while it was Rs 51.71 crore for the fiscal 2008-09. The total licence fee for 2007-08 was Rs 35.65 crore and for 2006-07, it was Rs 21.83 crore. 

        On AIR's revenues, Soni said in 2008-09, the state owned radio broadcaster had revenues of Rs 74.72 crore, while in 2007-08 it was Rs 65.24 crore and in 2006-07 it was Rs 64.3 crore. 

       The minister said there were 172 FM radio channels of AIR and 251 private channels in the country, adding a total of 300 FM transmitters of 100 watts were proposed to be set up across the country.