Radio Chief Seeks Media Parity & Phone Chips

Vijay Garg, Chief Financial Officer of MY FM, has been elected the new President of the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI). He succeeds Anurradha Prasad, who led the industry body for fifteen years. Mr. Garg's election occurred at the AGM on August 10, 2026.

Garg's presidency begins at a critical juncture for India's private FM radio sector, which serves over 200 million listeners weekly. The industry is advocating for decisive policy actions to ensure its growth and sustainability.

Key demands include achieving parity with other media by broadcasting independent news and current affairs. They also seek an extension of Phase III licenses under the existing 4% Adjusted Gross Revenue model and a rationalization of GST on radio services from 18% to 5%, aligning it with print media.

Furthermore, AROI is pushing for the conversion of a 2023 advisory into a mandatory directive to activate FM receiver chips in all mobile phones sold in India. Mr. Garg, with three decades of financial experience in media, emphasizes radio's role as a trusted, vernacular, and cost-efficient medium.

He stated, "My focus as President will be simple and unrelenting: secure media parity for radio, make the economics of the licence sustainable, correct the tax anomaly, and get FM chips switched on in every phone sold in this country." Garg also acknowledged his predecessor's efforts in uniting the industry and presenting its case to the government.