Gyanwani FM channels stopped by AIR due to non-payment of dues

The operation of educational Gyanwani FM channels was discontinued by All India Radio (AIR) due to the failure of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in clearing outstanding dues.
This information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State in the I&B Ministry Rajyavardhan Rathore in response to a written question.
In his reply, Rathore said Prasar Bharati has informed that on August 1, 2001, IGNOU signed infrastructure-sharing and consultancy agreement with Prasar Bharati for 37 stations of its Gyanvani FM Radio channels.
As per the agreement, IGNOU had to pay license fee etc to Prasar Bharati, he said.

"IGNOU has discontinued the payment of license fee with effect from April 1, 2013 resulting in accumulation of outstanding dues to the tune of Rs 21,64,12,770/- as on September 30, 2014," the minister said.
He added Prasar Bharati had issued repeated reminders for remittance of the outstanding dues.
"Notice for discontinuation was issued to IGNOU on September 12, 2014 and thereafter the operation of Gyanwani FM channels was discontinued with effect from October 1, 2014," he said.