MUMBAI: A gaggle of existing radiocasters, print media behemoths, TV broadcasters, builders, film producers and auto car dealers, are in the list of 21 pre-qualified bidders eligible to participate in the first batch of e-auctions for 135 private FM channels in 69 existing cities of phase III. The list was released by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry (MIB) on 15 July.

Among the companies which have got the go ahead signal are A M Television Pvt Ltd, Abhijit Realtors and Infraventures Pvt Ltd, Abir Buildcon Pvt Ltd, DB Corp Ltd, Embassy Nirman Pvt Ltd, Entertainment Network (India) Ltd, HT Media Limited, Malar Publications Ltd, Music Broadcast Pvt Ltd, Next Radio Ltd, Nirmal Sagar Buildcon Pvt Ltd, Odisha Television Ltd, Pratidin FM Pvt Ltd, Pudhari Publications Pvt Ltd, Rajasthan Patrika Pvt Ltd, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd, Remi Overseas Pvt Ltd, Renderlive Films & Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Sarthak Films Pvt Ltd, The Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd and Venus Autoworks Pvt Ltd.

C1 India Pvt Ltd is the e-auctioneer and auction adviser to the I&B Ministry who has arranged for training of the pre-qualified bidders of first batch of private FM radio Phase III on 17 July. The training is expected to be held in two batches on the same day, at National Media Centre, New Delhi.

A total of 28 applicants had applied for the e-auction of 135 Private FM Radio channels for the first batch of the Phase III expansion plan. 28 applicants had cumulatively submitted Rs 316.91 crore as earnest money deposit by end of day 27 March 2015 which was the deadline for the application process.

Sun TV group's Red FM is a prominent name amongst the bidders whose application was rejected. The group had routed its applications through five companies, and the application review committee in MIB rejected their applications as they had failed to get security clearance from the ministry of Home affairs.