Decision on Sun Channels likely today

NEW DELHI: An application review committee of the government is likely to take a final decision on Tuesday on all 38 companies, including Sun network that have applied for FM phase 3 auctions to kickstart the process.

This will decide the fate of the 45 radio channels of Sun TV that were denied security clearance by the home ministry (MHA).

The committee consists of representatives from various ministries and departments, including law and telecom. Five companies of Sun TV with 45 channels were denied security clearance by the MHA recently.

"Tomorrow a final decision will be taken on Sun TV. Letters will be issued to the companies whose security clearances are denied, after the meeting," an official said.

The home ministry had denied security clearance to the Sun network, which is believed to have been influenced by pending cases against promoter Kalanithi Maran and his brother, former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran.

The I&B ministry had earlier written to the home ministry seeking to know the reasons for denial of security nod to the Sun TV network. The ministry had also sought the opinion of attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, who had opposed the MHA stand.

I&B minister Arun Jaitley is understood to have held talks with home minister Rajnath Singh and PMO officials to sort out the issue.