In a bid to provide a boost to the Community Radio sector, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has simplified the approval procedure by introducing an online application process. Applicants will be able to track the status of their applications through a Comprehensive Community Radio Management Information System.

Addressing the National Community Radio Sammelan in New Delhi on Monday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Centre was committed to strengthen and expand the sector to achieve the goals of inclusive growth through social change. He said that Community Radio as a medium of communication is an integral component of the right to free speech and expression.

Jaitley said the myth that airwaves belongs to the state has been broken now.

“Over two decades ago, the state had the misconceived notion that airways are its monopoly. That myth itself was broken. I have a nostalgic memory of how this was broken, having been twice in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Before that I was privy in my position as a lawyer to shake that view that the state had a monopoly. The right belongs to the people. That law came later and today it belongs to the people,” Jaitley said.

Rapid expansion Community Radio has been fast expanding and the Ministry has given nearly 409 permissions to set up community radio stations, of which 179 stations have already become operational.

I&B Secretary Bimal Julka said that the Ministry has received several applications from Community Radio stations, seeking financial aid as the Centre has introduced a Plan Scheme to provide funding to existing and new stations for infrastructure and other needs.

He said that Community Radio has been playing a key role in disaster management; besides giving voice to rural communities. A vast country like India needs to have many more community radio stations, Julka added.

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