HYDERABAD, SEPT 26: As part of the policy to open up air waves, the government will allow private radio stations in 60 more cities, in addition to 40 centres where channels would be made available for commercial operations by December next, the Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said today.The privatisation of airwaves would open up tremendous opportunities for the music industry which could provide content for the emerging private radio channels, Jaitley said during an interactive meeting with representatives of the Telugu film industry here.Keeping in view the rapid convergence of technologies and the need to provide a fair and competitive environment for the entertainment industry, the government had last year decided to auction FM radio frequencies for commercial operations, he said.``By December next, 100 radio channels will come up in 40 cities and depending on the availability of frequencies we will expand it to 60 more cities,'' the Minister said adding it would boost the growth of the music industry in the country.Citing the instance of phenomenal growth of the entertainment industry in United States, where it has emerged as the largest earner for the country, Jaitley said Indian film industry also has a similar potential to grow and even capture the world market.Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in his address, favoured the merger of Information Technology, Telecommunications, Electronics and Information and Broadcasting ministries in view of the convergence of technologies the world over.
