On 10 January 2011 11:42, Vickram Crishna <[email protected]> wrote:
> Sajan, it is my impression that the actual vetting process demands some
> kind of backgrounder
>
Well, yes and no. The vetting process involves some fact-checking by a
fairly generous Screening Committee and presumably some tougher background
checks by the Home Ministry. None of this requires a 'backgrounder', really,
and certainly not the same backgrounder -- each with exactly the same
observations and spelling mistakes -- that typically 6-10 applicants submit
at each screening.
> - this is the scenario in which these 'posing consultants' began to thrive,
> although a project report is not their only interventionary role. But I
> could be mistaken.
>
You are right; the backgrounder is just the beginning. The applicants are
apparently promised everything from licenses, to funding to FCRA
clearance... each at a price, of course.
I should add here that many of these bogus 'project reports' are submitted
by genuine community-based groups, who just don't have the kind of literary
skills enjoyed by Universities and urban NGOs which walk away with the
majority of CR licenses. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the
baloney of (usually) Delhi-based 'consultants'... or should we call them
lobbyists?
> Maybe your pals at the Ministry can be given a gentle kick in the direction
> of lowering the real costs (not the application and spectrum fees) borne by
> license applicants. The higher the cost, the more likely it is that an
> unhealthy number of licenses will be won (will continue to be won?) by those
> who can navigate through misty dank corridors, rather than those who want to
> serve their communities.
>
I wish we had pals at four Ministries, especially the Telecom Ministry. As
you can see from the MIB's Notice, they are quite keen to do things the
right way, but they have very little influence over, say, MHA or DoT. An
unhealthy number of CR licenses continue to be won "by those who can
navigate through misty dank corridors", while those who really want to serve
their communities seem to be the infrequent and accidental beneficiaries of
Galbraith's trickle-down theory ("If you feed the horse enough oats, some
will pass through to the road for the sparrows.")
Sajan
http://communicall.wordpress.com
> http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com
>
>
> *From:* sajan venniyoor <[email protected]>
> *To:* CR India <[email protected]>
> *Sent:* Mon, 10 January, 2011 10:19:40
> *Subject:* [cr-india] MIB notice regarding 'CR consultants' & middlemen
>
> NOTICE TO NGOS / EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS / TRUSTS APPLYING FOR SETTING UP
> OF COMMUNITY RADIO STATION
>
>
>
> During the meeting of the Screening Committee for CRS, it has been observed
> that many applicants have enclosed Project Reports along with their
> application form. Most of these reports have been prepared in a specified
> format which indicates that some individuals posing as Consultants are
> preparing these Project Reports on behalf of the applicants of the Community
> Radio Stations to submit along with the application form.
>
>
>
> 2. This is to clarify to all concerned that
> NO Project Report is required to be submitted for CRS by the applicants. The
> applicants should fill up only the application form (with enclosures) which
> is already available on the Ministry’s website, www.mib.gov.in. *There is
> no need for any applicant to submit any kind of Project Report to the
> Ministry as it is not required under the Guidelines. *All Community Radio
> aspirants are therefore advised not to approach any middlemen/consultants
> for preparation of any kind of Project Report to be submitted to the
> Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and waste their money and
> resources. Necessary details regarding CRS are available on Ministry’s
> website. Applicants can also apply online at
> http://www.cronlineindia.net/default.asp. A filled up sample application
> is also available for reference at the above mentioned address.
>
>
>
> (Signed)
>
> Supriya Sahu
>
> Director (BC)
>
> 6/1/2011
>
>
>
> Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to
> www.crforum.in
>
Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to
www.crforum.in
