The size of the Radio industry has grown from Rs 600 crore in 2006 and is expected to be valued at Rs 1540 crore in 2014 thanks to the impetus given by the FM policy.

The policies initiated by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to promote the FM component in Radio had ensured a vibrant growth in the sector. While 245 FM Channels were launched in 85 cities since 2005, 839 channels are proposed to be launched in 294 cities in the third phase.

One of the key thrust areas of the Ministry in the past several years has been to empower the local communities through the Community Radio movement. Necessary changes have been brought about in policy to ensure a wider participation amongst stakeholders. The number of operational Community Radio Stations has increased from 64 in 2009 to 163 in 2014.

With the general polls in sight, the Ministry today issued a statement claiming a paradigm shift in information dissemination and policy measures which had led to a vibrant information order in the last ten years. It said the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry enabled the discourse of the 'India Story' to be disseminated across different platforms. It also aimed at providing quality information to the masses, thereby ensuring that the inclusive growth perspective is spread.