Caracas, Aug 1 (DPA) Venezuela's leftist government has ordered 34 radio stations off the air, accusing them of broadcasting without a proper licence.

The stations in question have to cease transmission, Public Works Minister Diosdado Cabello, who also heads the country's telecommunications regulatory agency, said Friday.

The closure orders are an indication of a growing rift between the government of President Hugo Chavez and Venezuela's private media.

In total, 240 radio stations are under investigation. Broadcast rights were withdrawn because the operators had either died, failed to update their licences or registrations had expired, Cabello said.

The licences could be handed over to so-called community radio stations, which are often operating on a non-profit basis.