FM Phase II: Syntech Informatics in, PCM case still hangs with the I&B Ministry

Syntech Informatics, the FM license holder from the North-East, which was facing disqualification for failing to comply with the CTI deadline, has signed the CTI agreement with BECIL after the I&B Ministry permitted it for the same. However, the appeal of the other player from the North-East, PCM Cement, which is also facing disqualification for the same reason, is under consideration.

by exchange4media Staff
Published: Jun 20, 2006 7:00 AM | 1 min read

FM Phase II: Syntech Informatics in, PCM case still hangs with the I&B Ministry

Syntech Informatics Pvt Ltd, the FM license holder from the North-East, which was facing disqualification for failing to comply with the CTI deadline, has signed the CTI agreement with BECIL after the I&B Ministry permitted it for the same. However, Ministry sources said that the appeal of the other player from the North-East, PCM Cement Concrete Pvt Ltd, which is also facing disqualification for the same reason, is under consideration.

As reported earlier by exchange4media, both Syntech and PCM were facing disqualification for failing to sign the Common Technical Infrastructure (CTI) agreement with Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BEC IL). BECIL is a Government of India enterprise, which is authorised to set up the common infrastructure at various cities in which license for new FM radio stations have been issued.

Both the license-holders had failed to comply with the April 29, 2006 deadline for the Eastern Zone to sign CTI agreement with BECIL. PCM has the FM licenses for Siliguri and Gangtok, while Syntech has won the license for Gangtok.

Syntech Informatics had appealed to the Ministry to be granted some more time, holding that its bank loan process got delayed due to the Assembly elections in Assam.