New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS): The northeast region along with Jammu and Kashmir will soon be getting over 100 government and private FM channels, parliament was informed Friday.

"As far as All India Radio is concerned, 243 new FM channels have been approved for installation in the country including northeastern region and Jammu and Kashmir," Minister of State of Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

Of the total All India Radio channels, the northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkkim, Tripura and Nagaland will get 78 channels while Jammu and Kashmir will get four channels.

In addition, 31 private FM channels will start operations in the northeastern states soon and another six will go on air in Jammu and Kashmir.

"These new channels are launched with the objective of providing better sound quality programme to the listeners, increasing number of listeners and enhancing FM coverage in shadow zones in border areas to counter cross border propaganda," the minister said referring to the AIR channels.

"Expansion of private FM industry will offer new areas for creating employment, increased choice of FM radio stations to listeners and has the potential to generate revenues for the government by efficiently utilizing the frequency radio spectrum earmarked for FM radio services," he added.