NEW DELHI: Even as India has a total of 830 private satellite television channels, as many as 260 applications are pending with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for grant of permission to operate TV channels.

As grant of permission is a continuous process, only cumulative data is maintained, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardan Singh Rathore told the Parliament today.

While 37 channels including 11 news channels were permitted in 2012, the number of clearances came down to only seven in 2013 including four news channels. In 2014, a total of 45 channels were cleared including 14 news channels, while 42 channels were cleared until November-end this year, which included only three news channels.

Of the 830 channels, 398 channels are news and current affairs channels, the Minister said, adding that religious and sports channels are included in the non-news and current affairs category.

The Minister said that the MIB ensures regular monitoring of all the applications, regular follow up with concerned Ministries and Departments for obtaining clearances, and processing of applications according to the Citizens’ Charter.