The Union Cabinet today approved the Empowered Group of Minister’s (EGoM)’s decision to conduct auction of 839 channels of FM radio stations in 294 cities through e-auction. Briefing newsmen on the Cabinet decisions, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said, the decision is part of amendments in the Policy Guidelines for Phase -111 expansion of FM Radio broadcasting services through private agencies. Migration fee will be charged from existing operators on their migration from Phase-ll to Phase-Ill and the amount of migration fee would be decided after consultation with TRAI.

The additional channels that may become available due to reduced channels spacing to 400 KHz. could be considered subsequently after feasibility studies are completed. The proposed specific departures from the Requests for Proposals (RFP) followed in DoT for auction of 3G and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Spectrum were approved with some amendments. EGoM also decided that the authority to make any other minor changes in RFP would be delegated to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The cabinet also reduced Subsidy in Nutrient Based rates for Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers for the year 2013-14. The new rates will be applicable from 1st April 2013. According to the new rates, the total subsidy outgo for the P&K fertilizers for the financial year 2013-14 would be reduced by around 15 percent.

This will enable manufacturers and importers to import fertilizers and fertilizer inputs and undertake domestic production and make adequate availability of fertilizers to farmers in the year.

The Union Cabinet also gave its approval to launch a National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as a new sub-mission under the over-arching National Health Mission (NHM).