For now, the Communication Ministry seems to have won over the Defence Ministry to allow new FM stations to operate. Communications Ministry secretary Mukunda Raj Poudel says the FM stations that have already been given licenses will be allowed to begin broadcasts. The Defense Ministry had reportedly asked that new FM stations be stopped until the frequency issue was resolved. The fate of more than 30 new FM stations remain uncertain after the Defence Ministry's directive. Of these, 13 are community-based stations. President of Community Radio Broadcast Association Raghu Mainali said that the new operators will now have to make up for lost time.