The third phase of the expansion of private FM radio channels in smaller towns and cities is set to get government approval with the Union Cabinet likely to clear the proposal on Thursday. Bidding for the FM3 radio stations will be,however,done through e-auction this time,on the recommendation of a Group of Ministers. As many as 800 radio channels in over 200 towns will be up for grabs once the decision is taken. The Union Cabinet is also likely to approve another proposal by the ministry for statistics and programme implementation,raising allocation under MPLAD scheme from the present Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore for each MP.
