Lok Sabha Question No. 3052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Circulation of Radio Services
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3052 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021)

## CIRCULATION OF RADIO SERVICES

3052. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  radio  is  a  very important  tool  of  communication  and  if  so,  the  reaction  of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government has taken note that radio proves to be  an  effective  medium  to  keep  the  language  alive  in  the vast country like India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the measures being taken by the Government to increase the circulation of radio services in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Sir.    Radio  is  a  powerful  tool  to  connect  to  the masses. It is also a platform for linkage and exchange between policy makers, government bodies and the public. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reaches out to the citizens of India through  Mann  ki  Baat  on  All  India  Radio  (AIR),  which  reaches nearly  100%  of  the  population  spread  over  entire  geographical area of the country through a combination of terrestrial broadcasting in MW, SW, FM and Satellite broadcasting through DD FreeDish DTH. AIR broadcasts programmes in all major regional languages and various  dialects.  At  present,  AIR  broadcasts  programme  in  23 major languages and 181 dialects. Further, there are 384 Private FM Radio channels operating from 111  cities  in  the  country  spread  across  26  States  and  4  Union Territories, under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy.  Private FM Radio promotes local language by the radio jockeys speaking in the local language and dialects of that city and also promotes local content.

Community Radio is the third tier in radio broadcasting, distinct from public service and commercial media, providing a platform to air local  voices  among  the  local  community  on  issues concerning their lives. Community Radio Station (CRS) is essentially  low  power  radio  station  meant  to  be  set  up  and operated  by  the  local  communities  to  focus  on  local  issues concerning health, nutrition, education, agriculture etc. Thus, the Community Radio is a very important tool of communication for broadcasting programmes in local language and dialects, especially for those areas where presence of mainstream media is limited.

(c)  The Government has taken various measures to increase the reach of radio services in the country.  All AIR services have an active social media  presence. Content broadcast on AIR services  is  also  being  made  available  for  on-demand  listening through YouTube.  For the first time, Visual Radio programming has been introduced where  Radio Programs  such as Live Commentary are also being live streamed with a camera in the studio  so  that  the  faces  behind  the  voices  can  be  seen  and experienced. More  than 40  AIR  Services  have  been  made available  via  Satellite  Radio  on  'DD  Free  Dish'  DTH  platform. Also, 200 AIR Services are being live streamed through 'NewsOnAir'  App  for  listening  anywhere  in  the  world.    Further Digital  Radio  standards  are  being  evaluated  to  enhance  the technology and to increase the capacity for multiple services.

The Private FM Radio Phase-III Policy provides for radio coverage in all cities with population above 1 lakh, unless getting covered from a neighbouring city.  In addition, 11 cities in border areas of North East States and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh  having  population  of  less  than  1  lakh  have  also  been included.  The Phase-III policy provides for conducting e-auctions in batches for granting permission to private agencies. Government  has  conducted  two  batches  of  e-auctions  wherein 163 FM Radio Channels have been awarded. As  regards  Community  Radio,  the  Government  of  India  has approved a central sector scheme namely, 'Supporting Community Radio Movement in India' to strengthen the Community  Radio  Sector.  Under  the  said  scheme,  Community Radio awareness workshops are organized and financial assistance is provided for purchase of equipment for setting up of Community Radio Station.

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