MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), has finally announced a tentative date for the first batch of e-auction for Phase III. According to the I&B Ministry’s website, the auctions might begin from 27 July, 2015.

With regards to familiarising bidders with the rules and methodology of the auctions, the I&B Ministry will be conducting a mock auction on 22 and 23 July, 2015 at 9.30 am.

According to the website of the I&B Ministry, “The bidders are required to configure their system settings as per the Notice Inviting Applicants (NIA) well in advance of the Mock Auction.” In case bidders need further assistance, they can contact the help desk.

C1 India Pvt. Ltd is serving as the e-auctioneer and auction adviser to the I&B Ministry, who arranged the training of pre-qualified bidders for the first batch of private FM radio Phase III, on 17 July 2015. The training was 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 27 March 2015, which was the deadline for the application process.