Dear all, I just got off the phone with Ms Supriya Sahu, Jt Secy MoIB, who in turn had just finished talking with the JS at MoCIT. I had called her to verify the recent news about spectrum fee. She does not, as yet, have official confirmation about this news. The JS MoCIT did say that the minister has taken a decision and it will soon be notified. However, he didn't know what exactly that decision is - whether it is a roll back or waiver. Supriya thinks that the administrative notification will take another couple of days.
Supriya is confident that there is a strong reason to cheer because at the minimum the decision will be to roll back to the earlier amount. Given the proposed five-fold increase, I agree that this is a reason to cheer, though not (yet) a reason to celebrate. We must keep the pressure on MoCIT that our demand, and the right thing to do, is to waive off the spectrum fee. I detest the word 'waiver' in this context because it assumes that communities are supposed to pay but by some act of generosity is being exempted from doing so. Community Radio (in its truest sense of the word) has to be recognized as a 'right' and not merely some 'development/informational tool'. Though the Community Radio Forum, in its various presentations and petitions, has clearly articulated that the demand is zero spectrum fee/royalty, I believe not all petitions have made similar demands. Supriya informs that the MoIB's recommendation to MoCIT was 'either to waive or to roll back'. It would be great if those connecting with MoCIT and MoIB on this matter give them a clear idea that CR broadcasters and supporters will not give up till the fee/royalty is totally done away with for this sector. Looking forward to the notification. In harmony, Stalin K -- Stalin K. President, CRF Director Video Volunteers Mobile :+91- 99235-94635 Skype: stalink1234 www.videovolunteers.org/ http://twitter.com/videovolunteers Videos: indiaunheard. <http://indiaunheard.videovolunteers.org/> videovolunteers.org <http://indiaunheard.videovolunteers.org/> Main Office: House No.1164/1 | Gaum Vaddy | Anjuna | Bardez | Goa | Varanasi Office: House No. B 32/21, B 3A | Saket Nagar | Sankat Mochan | Varanasi | Pincode 221005
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