Lok Sabha Question No. 740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Supporting Community Radio Movement in India
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama, Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu, Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Shri Ananta Nayak, Shri Bhojraj Nag, Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 740

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026)

## SUPPORTING COMMUNITY RADIO MOVEMENT IN INDIA:

- 740        SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:

SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:

SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:

SHRI BUNTY VIVEK SAHU:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:

SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:

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

- (a)   Whether the Government has assessed the impact of financial and technological support provided under the scheme for Supporting Community Radio Movement in India on outreach in rural, tribal and Left Wing Extremism-affected areas;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof, State and district-wise, particularly in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh;
- (c)     the steps being taken by the Government to address the challenges related to broadcasting, financial resources, human resources and technical operations faced by the Community Radio Stations particularly operating in Chhindwara and surrounding tribal-dominated areas;
- (d)    whether  any  measures  are  being  considered  to  enhance  community  participation  and ensure the long term viability of Community Radio as a tool for local development and social mobilisation by increasing the participation of local youth, women's groups and voluntarily organisations; and
- (e)     if so, the details thereof?

(a) to (e):

The Government supports Community Radio Stations (CRSs) through financial assistance for procurement of broadcast and studio equipment, training and capacity-building programmes, technical handholding, and content development.  It implements a scheme called 'Supporting Community Radio Movement in India' to strengthen existing and  establish new CRSs. To provide technical support and facilitate capacity building of CRSs, the Government organizes national and regional sammelans in various parts of the country.

In Madhya Pradesh, 17 CRSs have been supported through financial grants by the ministry. No proposal  for  financial  assistance  has  been  received  in  this  Ministry  from  any  CRS  in Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh.

The Government regularly assesses the impact of financial and technological support under the scheme through periodic monitoring, utilisation reports, inspections and third-party evaluations. The scheme has enhanced the outreach of Community Radio Stations in rural, tribal and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas through localised content, community participation and capacity building.

As  per  policy  guidelines,  at  least  50%  of  the  content  of  Community  Radio  Stations  is mandatorily generated with community participation, with at least half of such content focusing on women empowerment.

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## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)