Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur has said that after 2014 the government decided to encourage the community radio stations and provided 7.5 lakh rupees assistance and additional funds for the community radios. While delivering the keynote address, Mr Thakur said that it is encouraging to see the effective functioning of 117 stations in the Southern region. He said that it is the Voice the voice-less. The Minister said that the community radio in Vernacular language is important to work for Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed how important is communication to reach the grassroots. He said that it is an ideal platform for providing a voice to the Last person living anywhere in the country. The Minister said that every person is entitled to free speech and free listening to the scheme of the government. Mr. Thakur said that the government envisioned a developed Nation by 2047. Mr. Thakur said that the community radio can take the ideas to the masses. He said that in the next three years, the target is to create more than 1000 community radio stations. He also said that the policy has been changed so that one license holder can set up more than one radio station. He said that advertisements can be played from seven to ten minutes at the rate of 54 to 74 rupees. The Minister said that this is a pro-active government and the government encouraged people-centred Community radio. The Minister appealed to the media practitioners to deliberate in the Sammelan. He encouraged the community radio practitioners to disseminate information on government schemes and make India a Vikshit Bharat.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan said that community radio are playing an important role in nation-building. He said that Akashvani brings the information to the people living in far-flung areas. He commended the educational institutions for taking the Idea of playing an important role in the development of the community.
He appealed to the community radio leaders to provide inputs for development. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was much concerned about the border villages. He noted that they are the first villages of the Country. He said that 2500 Crore rupees was allocated for the development of the infrastructure of Radio and TV.
The Minister said that DD Tamil which was relaunched by the Prime Minister is becoming popular among the Indians living worldwide. He called upon the youngsters to volunteer to start a community radio station.
Prof. Vinod Kumar IIMC welcomed the gathering. Nimish Rustogi ADG IIMC said that more than 95 delegates from South Indian states are participating in the Sammelan. He said that discussions on the various aspects of working and running the radio stations will be discussed at large during the Sammelan. He said that the Government is to begin a Community radio station in every district.
The two-day Community Radio Sammelan of the Southern region began in Chennai today. To celebrate 20 years of Community Radio in India 117 Community Radio Stations of southern States/UTs are participating in the event.
Community Radio in India began in February 1 in the year 2004 by Bharat Ratna L.K.Advani at Anna University. Later licenses were granted for setting up Community Radio Stations for well-established educational institutions including IITs/IIMs. The Government decided to broad base the policy by bringing ‘Non-profit’ organisations like civil society and voluntary organisations under its ambit to allow greater participation by civil society on issues relating to development & social change.
As a result, the first Community Radio Station was inaugurated by Bharat Ratna Shri. L.K Advani on 1st February 2004. The Government has been taking several proactive steps enabling ease of registration as a complete online process for submission of applications. This has resulted in an increase in a number of Community Radio Station to 481 out of which 155 were added in the last two years. In the last 9 years, the sector has grown substantially and the number of Community Radio Stations has increased from 140 in 2014 to 481 in 2023.
The Regional Sammelan is being inaugurated on the 13th of February which marks the “World Radio Day”.
