New Delhi: Even as Prasar Bharati had denied any move to change the frequency of the popular All India Radio FM Gold from 106.4 to 100.1 MHz, Parliament was informed on Monday that the decision had merely been deferred.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting S Jagathrakshakan said the coverage area of FM Gold on 106.4 MHz had shrunk due to co-channel interference as the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Communications and Information Technology Ministry had allocated the same frequency to private broadcasters at Karnal and Hissar in the frequency band of 103.8 MHz to 108 MHz.

The Communications Ministry, Jagathrashakan said, had advised AIR to change the FM Gold frequency to the allocated frequency band of 100 MHz to 103.7 MHz. The frequency had been allocated to AIR by WPC in 2001 when it was the only radio broadcaster in the country.

Earlier, Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer B S Lalli told RadioAndMusic.com that he had blocked any move to change the frequency when it was brought to his notice on 31 October.

Asked why FM Gold was on the same frequency which was used by Radio Dhamaal in 10 other cities, he had said this was the work of the WPC. However, he said he had already made a noting in this regard for the reference of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

FM Dilli on 100.1 MHz had been launched especially to carry commentaries of the Commonwealth Games, and the channel has been shut down.

Denying media reports, Lalli had said the confusion was only created because AIR FM Gold was being carried on both frequencies for some time after the Games got over. Delhi's AIR FM Gold has gained popularity for retaining the music of the Fifties to the present era, apart from carrying news and discussions based on current affairs.