This week the government handed out long-pending licenses to five new FM stations?Classic FM in Kathmandu, Bageswari FM in Nepalganj, Tulsipur FM and Rapti FM in Dang and Muktinath FM in Palpa. In addition to 12 new stations announced since last week, the Ministry of Information and Communication has now issued licenses to 43 FM stations. Abdul Rais Khan, under secretary of the Audio Visual and Broadcasting Section says the stations are now in the process of being classified into three categories: government owned, private and community. Community radio stations will be given concessions on start up fees and taxes. The feasibility study will also be waived for stations with a transmitting power of less than 50 watts. Khan says it may take another month-and-a-half before the classifications are finalised. For nearly three years, hardly any licenses have been issued. Mohan Bista of the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists attributes the recent spurt to liberal policies advocated by the current Minister of Information Kamal Thapa.