Lok Sabha Question No. 4390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Radio Broadcasting in Local Languages
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4390 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016 )

## RADIO BROADCASTING IN LOCAL LANGUAGES

## 4390. SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken to spread local radio broadcasting in local languages to remote  locations  with  particular  focus  on  hilly  and  densely  forested areas in North East and Northern Hill States;
- (b) whether  the  Government  runs  programmes  on  Centrally  sponsored schemes,  information  on  local  area  development  and  awareness programmes on local radio; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

(a):  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  the  programmes  broadcast  by  local radio stations of All India Radio are field based and in the local languages/dialects. AIR is constantly reviewing its content policy to tailor it according to  the needs  and  aspirations  of  the  people  especially  for  people living in remote areas of the nation. AIR is broadcasting in 23 languages and 176  dialects  throughout  the  country.  AIR  broadcasts  programmes  in  86 dialects  in  the  North-East  and  10  dialects  in  the  hilly  state  of  J&K,  14  in Himachal Pradesh and 2 dialects in the State of Uttarakhand.

The  Government  also  grants  permission  to  set  up  Community  Radio Station  (CRS)  under  the  Policy  Guidelines  issued  in  the  year  2006  for setting  up  of  Community  Radio  Stations  in  India.  As  per  these  guidelines, eligible organisations can apply for permission to set up CRS in any part of the country including organisations working in North Eastern States. These stations  cater  to  the  needs  and  aspirations  of  the  communities  in  local dialect(s)  at  grass  root  level.  Besides  this,  this  Ministry  is  organising awareness  workshops  in  areas  where  no  CRS  exists  to  popularise  the Community  Radio  Scheme.  So  far,  32  permissions  have  been  issued  in North  Eastern  States for  setting  up  Community  Radio  Stations  and  out  of which 03 stations are operational.

The  guidelines  on  Expansion  of  FM  Radio  broadcasting  services through private agencies Phase- III also stipulates that a permission holder has to ensure that at least 20% of the total broadcast in a day (reckoned

from 0000 hrs to 2400 hrs), is in the local language of that city and promote local content.

(b) &(c): Yes, Madam. The Policy guidelines for CRS allow Central & State Governments to sponsor programmes on Community Radio Stations about government  schemes  and  issues  of  public  interest.  All  India  Radio  also lends  active,  vigorous  and  extensive  support  to  the  centrally  sponsored schemes launched by Government from time to time through its Programmes  in  varied  radio  formats  and  genres  put  out  on  its  entire network. The AIR stations are regularly mounting programmes on different welfare  schemes  of  Government  of  India.  Subject  Experts  are  called regularly  to  participate  in  these  programmes  which  are  targeted  at  the general audience as well as Special audience groups such as farmers and other rural people, youth, women, children, industrial workers etc.

Some of the schemes/themes/promos covered by AIR in recent months are:-

-  Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana.
-  Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
-  Beti BachaoBetiPadhao.
-  Safety and Empowerment of Women.
-  Make in India Campaign .
-  Skill India Programme.
-  Namami Gange.
-  Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate.
-  Pradhanmantri Fasal Beema Yojana.
-  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana-' Har  Khet  Ko  Pani' and 'More crop per drop'
-  Pradhan Mantri Saansad Adarsh Gram  Yojana.
-  100 Smart Cities.
-  Housing for All by 2022.
-  Solar & Renewable energy.
-  Promoting Tourism.
-  Developing North-East.
-  Soil Health Card.
-  Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojnana.
-  Campaign for universal immunization known as Mission Indradhanush'.   '
-  Awareness for the protection of rights of children.
-  Demonetization scheme.
-  Digital India campaign.
-  Good-Governance-challenges and opportunities.
-  Energy conservation.
-  Accelerating growth  with inclusion and equity

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