MUMBAI: The government earned Rs 527.1 million from private radio channels during 2008-09.

During the previous fiscal, 35 FM radio stations were operationalised and a total of 248 stations were functioning in the country as on March 31, 2009.

The ministry for Information and Broadcasting has prepared a cabinet note on the third phase roll-out of FM stations and official sources say that it will be soon pushed forward, says a PTI report.

In the intervening period between the second phase and the prospective third phase roll-out of FM stations, a software has been developed by the government for monitoring the private FM license holders.

The software provides details of general information about the license holder company and also the license fee paid, both company-wise and quarter-wise for various years.