The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued an advisory to FM radio channels asking them to ensure that they broadcast public interest announcements for a maximum of one hour per day, as needed by the central or state government.
Citing Clause 11.2 of GOPA and 10.2 of MGOPA, the government said that it is mandatory for all permission holders who have entered into an agreement to establish and operate FM radio broadcasting channels to broadcast such announcements “as may be required by the Central government/concerned state government for a maximum of one hour per day at suitable time slots”, which are interspersed during that day.
Moreover, according to the advisory, “In case the total demand of the central government and the state government exceeds one hour per day, the concerned state government shall be eligible for announcements covering only the period remaining after meeting the demand of the central government.”
In the advisory, the Ministry said that the government can impose penalties in the event of a permission holder violating the terms and conditions and it therefore urged all FM channels to “strictly adhere to the aforementioned terms and conditions of permission”.
