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 very soon. <br/><br/>Delivering the concluding address of the Outreach International Radio Fair 2016 in Bhubaneswar last evening, 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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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. The minister further said that the government will set up 100 radio stations in the areas where private FM operators don't want to go.<br/><br/> These areas include coastal, border and naxal affected areas. Mr. Rathore said that the government has decided in principle to fund those films which go for international competitions. A committee will be formed this with the help of film industry. He said that the committee will take decision about funding of films. <br/><br/>He said that the government wants that there should be only film certification and not film censorship. Mr. Rathore informed that there will be a new category in the national film award from this year. One sates will be awarded every year for giving facilities for film production. He also said that the government will set up a National Centre of Excellence for films.<br/><br/>Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the event. Our correspondent reports that a number of private and government radio channels and veteran radio news anchors were present at the fair.

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 very soon. Delivering the concluding address of the Outreach International Radio Fair 2016 in Bhubaneswar last evening, 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. <br/><br/>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.<br/>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. <br/><br/>Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the event. Our correspondent reports that a number of private and government radio channels and veteran radio news anchors were present at the fair.