The private channels will still not be able to broadcast news because it goes against government policy, but sports is okay “because it is entertainment,” he said. The news part could come in too, but later, in a phased manner.

“I will soon go to Parliament with a proposal to allow sports commentary in the private FM radio sector as it is not news,” Dasmunsi said. He will insist that sports commentary does not fall in the category of news.

Currently only All India Radio can do sports commentary. This part also had become a contentious issue during the cricket series (versus the West Indies and Sri Lanka), with Nimbus Corporation initially denying access to AIR personnel, saying that too was their exclusive property. Later, the ministry pushed through an ordinance to gain access.

The government’s liberal policy on this, even allowing FDI to a limit, will result in 300 new stations across the country.

In putting forth his ministry’s stand on the radio issue Dasmunsi made it clear that this was also one key area that had worried the ministry when the cricket dispute arose. “As public broadcasters we do have a responsibility to the public,” he said.

“Popularity of cricket and any other sport across the country developed through radio commentary. Today you cannot suddenly declare this as private property.”

The decision, if pushed through Parliament, will open the doors to a new world for private FM channels. News too could be allowed, said Dasmunsi, but this will be tried only in metro-related events in metros only at first.