FM auctions: I&B min rejects Sun TV firms applications

"Five companies" of Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV group will not be able to participate in Phase III FM auctions as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has rejected their applications.

Officials said that an Application Review Committee, which on Tuesday met, has rejected the applications of the companies belonging to the Sun TV group, which had failed to get a security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The ministry on Wednesday released a list of 21 companies that are the 'pre-qualified bidders' for the first batch of the e-auctions for 135 private FM channels in 69 existing cities. Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is a necessary condition to apply for the FM auctions, sources said.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had received 28 applications, sources said, including those from the five companies associated with the Sun TV group.

"The committee has approved 21 applications, though it has not given its nod to applications of the five companies of the Sun TV network," an official said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier denied security clearance to the SunTV Network which had cast a question mark over its bid to participate in the auction.