Lok Sabha Question No. 4119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Community Radio Stations
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel, Chandrani Murmu, (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria, Ravindra Kushawaha, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Nayab Singh, Subrata Pathak, Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4119 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021)

## COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS

4119. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL; MS CHANDRANI MURMU; DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA; SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA; SHRI RAVI KISHAN; SHRI NAYAB SINGH; SHRI SUBRAT PATHAK; SHRI MANOJ TIWARI

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  target  of  setting  up  of  500  Community  Radio  Stations  (CRSs)  has  not been achieved even after the lapse of one decade and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up CRS across the country and if so, the details thereof state/UT-wise and location wise including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan;
- (c) the criteria for setting up such Community Radio stations and the steps taken by the Government for simplification of application process;
- (d) whether the Government has accorded permission to private FM Channels and CRS for news telecast and if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor; and
- (e) other measures being taken by the Government to expand Community Radio service in each district of the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES [SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR]

(a) & (b) Setting up of Community Radio Stations (CRS) is a voluntary effort, by eligible organizations such as not-for-profit voluntary organizations, educational institutions, state agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras . The Government only plays the  role  of  licensor  and  facilitator  in  setting  up  of  CRS.  The  Ministry  endeavours  to facilitate  setting  up  of  more  CRS  in  the  country  and  so  far,  a  total  of  317  CRSs  are operational  in  the  country.  A  State/UT-wise  list  of  operational  CRSs,  including  Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, is available on Ministry's website www.mib.gov.in.

(c) The Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations, prescribes criteria for setting up of a CRS and are available on the website of the Ministry. Clause 3(a)(i) of the Policy Guidelines has been amended to simplify the application process.

Government Universities, Deemed Universities (Central and State), Government Colleges, Government Schools and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (run by Government) have single  window  clearance.  No  separate  clearance  shall  be  necessary.  An  InterMinisterial  Committee,  chaired by Secretary  (I&B),  considers applications from such organizations and issues Letter of Intent, subject to allocation of frequency by WPC Wing. In addition, the application form for applying for Community Radio permission has been simplified by the Government recently.

(d)  The  Private  FM  Radio  Stations  and  CRS  can  broadcast news and  current  affairs contents sourced exclusively from AIR in its original form or translated into the local language/dialect (in case of CRS). It will be their responsibility to ensure that the news is not distorted or edited during translation.

In  respect  of  both  private  FM  Radio  Stations  and  Community  Radio  Stations,  the broadcast pertaining to the following categories are treated as non-'news and current affairs' broadcast and will therefore be permissible:

(i)  Information  pertaining  to  sporting  events  excluding  live  coverage.  However  live commentaries of sporting events of local nature may be permissible; (ii) Information pertaining to Traffic and Weather; (iii) Information pertaining to and coverage of cultural events, festivals; (iv)  Coverage  of  topics  pertaining  to  examinations,  results,  admissions,  career counselling; (v) Availability of employment opportunities; (vi) Public announcements pertaining to civic amenities like electricity, water supply, natural calamities, health alerts etc. as provided by the local administration; (vii)  Such  other  categories  not  permitted  at  present  that  may  subsequently  be specifically permitted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from time to time.

(e) The Ministry has taken many measures to expand Community Radio service in the country, some of which are as under: (i)  conducting  awareness  workshops,  from  time  to  time,  to  encourage  eligible organizations for setting up of CRS, especially in Community Radio dark areas; (ii)  engagement with Coastal States/UTs, Aspirational Districts and National Disaster Management  Authority  (NDMA)  to  identify  and  persuade  eligible  organizations  for setting up of CRS, especially in those areas where no CRS is presently operational.

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