Dear all, I have just had a word with mr Ranjan Khanna, PS to Mr Sibal, who CRA has been in touch with since February.
The news is correct , but the order may take time. So there is reason for all of us to rejoice. He also categorically mentioned that the process started after CRA met with the minister in February and brought to his notice the problems of a hiked fee. In fact I was told by Mr Ranjan that this decision had been taken almost a fortnight back and giving credit where it is not deserved is not right. He also mentioned that any one can now claim to have forced this decision. It involved a process and consultation as it was also a financial decision. He said the ministry took action on the letter submitted by the operating community radio stations through CRA to the minister. Mr Khanna informed that the government had started looking into the merit of the case soon after the meeting. Credit goes to only to Father Thomas of Radio Mattoli , who mobilised Member of Parliament from Kerala, Mr MI Shahnawaz, to accompany CRA for the meeting with Mr Sibal. Without his pro active role we could not have got an audience with the minister. This is just to get the record straight . And also to announce a reason to celebrate! Best Archana Join CRA to give the CR movement the momentum it deserves! Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel -----Original Message----- From: Vinod Pavarala <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 09:09:39 To: [email protected]<[email protected]> Subject: [cr-india] Spectrum fee decision Congratulations to everyone in the CR movement on the reported announcement by Mr. Kapil Sibal about scrapping spectrum fee for community radio in India. If it's followed up by appropriate bureaucratic procedures, this is indeed a remarkable achievement for grassroots practitioners, CR advocates and intellectuals who worked together with the media. While we are very grateful for Aruna-di's intervention, I am sure all the collective pressure had its role to play. It is a sign of maturity of the CR movement in the country. This is not the time for recriminations and struggles over who deserves more or less credit. Let us resolve to be alert and continue to fight for the retention of democratic spaces on the broadcast spectrum. Best, Vinod UNESCO Chair on Community Media University of Hyderabad 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
