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FM phase II: govt. may collect Rs 13.5 bn in licence fee
NEW DELHI: The government is likely to collect Rs. 13.5 billion as one-time entry fee for the licences for 338 FM radio stations in 91 cities, the bidding for which starts on 6 January 2006.
This is nearly half of the total investment of Rs. 26 billion the phase II of FM licensing will attract. Additionally, the government may earn a revenue of over Rs. 500 million per year through the four per cent revenue share scheme it announced in July last year.
These are the findings of a study carried out by Big River Radio, a leading consulting firm of India engaged in handing out advises for setting up and managing radio stations based on the business models being followed by a large number of bidders for FM stations spread across the country.
The successful bidders, who are required to put up their infrastructure for the services, will be investing Rs.12, 000 million on transmitters, studio equipment and common transmission facilities essential for the mandatory co-location.
Around 90 per cent of the equipment for the infrastructure will be imported, mostly from the US and Europe, Big River stated in an official statement today.
The FM radio operators will be using the Prasar Bharati towers in 84 cities for co-locating their transmitters. The public service broadcaster is likely to earn Rs. 700 millions from providing these services to the private sector.
The infrastructure in the remaining seven cities will be created by the ministry of information and broadcasting in the next two years. Till such time, the government has allowed the successful bidders in these cities to operationalise their channels on an individual basis.
Referring to the study, Big River Radio (India) Private Limited MD Sunil Kumar said in a statement, “The study involved in-depth analysis of the workings of broadcasters in India and others countries – primarily the mature radio markets like the UK and the US.
“Our findings are based on several months of deliberations with a large number of these bidders who are serious about the business and get into the bidding hall with a fairly well worked out and detailed business plan”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
