Centre’s boost to community radioNew Delhi, Aug 23, DHNS: *To give a fillip to the community radio movement in the country, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has launched an ''online application system'' for setting up such radio stations that are helping in the spread of education and health awareness in remote parts of the country.* The system, developed by the Ministry in association with Commonwealth Educational Centre for Asia (CEMCA), can be accessed easily from anywhere in the country by those interested in setting up a community radio station.
Various guidelines issued on Community Radio by the government have also been made available on the site, and the software used enables applicants to send their applications simultaneously to all the ministries concerned for quicker clearance. It will also help the ministry will get a day-to-day update on the total number of applications filed category-wise and state-wise, Minister of State for I&B Chaudhury Mohan Jatua said launching the system here on Friday. In order to bring further transparency in the system, it is also proposed to develop an on-line tracking system through which applicants can trace the status of their applications through a password and ID. Till date, 233 letters of intent have been issued by the ministry to operate community radio stations in the country. Out of that, 110 organisations have signed Grant of Permission Agreement with the ministry and 82 stations have become operational. Jatua also launched the newly designed website of the Press Information Bureau of the government, saying it would enable media persons to access information easily than before. PIB Principal Director General (M&C) Neelam Kapur said the new website had features like a faster and user-friendly search system, placement of Urdu releases on the home page and introduction of the SMS alert system for beat correspondents. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/90936/centres-boost-community-radio.html -- Nookaraju B
Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to www.crforum.in
