Phase III FM auctions: Appointing auctioneer is first priority, says I&B Secy
Expressing confidence that auctions for FM Phase III for Radio would be conducted on time, the Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Mr Uday Kumar Varma, has said that the search for a dependable auctioneer was the priority at the moment. "The Cabinet has given us a three-year time period to carry out the auctions and has asked us to conduct it on the lines of the 3G auctions," Mr Varma, Secretary in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, told PTI.
"We will have to appoint an auctioneer first, so we have formalised an RFP (Request for Proposal). An inter-ministerial committee has discussed that RFP and has come up with some suggestions," he said. Mr Varma said that the Cabinet had directed that the Radio Phase III auctions be carried out on the auction of 3G spectrum for telecom, his ministry still had to adapt those guidelines for the Radio auction.
Big number
"There are some differences between these auctions and the 3G auctions. One the number is very big as over 800 radio stations have to be auctioned," he said. "Second, the auctioneer who will conduct the bids, for his fee, the formula will be different from what was employed during the 3G,"he added. Mr Varma also added that his ministry was trying to check the suitability of applying certain clauses.
Experience clause?
"Third, we are trying to judge whether we should set an experience clause for whoever conducts the bid, because we may have difficulty in finding someone as we don't know where in the world such auctions have been carried out through e-auctions," he said. Mr Varma said that his Ministry had prepared a timetable and will be able to conduct the auctions much before the three-year deadline set up by the Cabinet.
Keywords: radio auctions, FM auctions, radio stations, Phase II radio auctions"There are some differences between these auctions and the 3G auctions. One the number is very big as over 800 radio stations have to be auctioned," he said. "Second, the auctioneer who will conduct the bids, for his fee, the formula will be different from what was employed during the 3G,"he added. Mr Varma also added that his ministry was trying to check the suitability of applying certain clauses.
Experience clause?
"Third, we are trying to judge whether we should set an experience clause for whoever conducts the bid, because we may have difficulty in finding someone as we don't know where in the world such auctions have been carried out through e-auctions," he said. Mr Varma said that his Ministry had prepared a timetable and will be able to conduct the auctions much before the three-year deadline set up by the Cabinet.
Keywords: radio auctions, FM auctions, radio stations, Phase II radio auctions
(thehindubusinessline.com 20/02)
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Jaisaktivel, ADXC, India.
www.dxersguide.blogspot.com
