Government Strengthens Community Radio Through Financial Support, Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

Government Strengthens Community Radio Through Financial Support, Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

The government grants community radio licenses under a policy, which is available on the website: https://mib.gov.in/ministry/our-wings/broadcating-wing.

As per the policy, Community Radio Stations can be established by not-for-profit organizations with a proven record of three years of service to the local community. The policy mandates that the programmes aired by the Community Radio Stations should be relevant to the educational, developmental, social and cultural requirements of the community.

Government supports Community Radio Stations through financial assistance to establish, repair, and maintain community radio stations. Support is also provided during emergencies like floods, cyclones, or lightning damage.

Government is implementing a scheme called ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ with an outlay of Rs. 50 Cr. It is designed to strengthen existing and new Community Radio Stations.

The main features of the scheme are as follows:

The Government has sanctioned 540 Community Radio Stations throughout the country. Out of these, 48 are in Tamil Nadu, spread over 24 districts. These stations have been undertaking significant work in the areas of disaster management, sea conservation, health and hygiene, among others.

During the last three financial years, a total sum of Rs. 40,03,098/- has been released to the Community Radio Stations located in Tamil Nadu.

This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, in the Lok Sabha.

About Community Radio

Community Radio represents an important third tier in radio broadcasting, distinct from Public Service Broadcasting and Commercial Radio. These are low power FM stations having maximum Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 100 Watts, expected to focus on local issues and are owned and managed by a community for the benefit of the community. The outreach of the station is approx. 10-15 Kms radius.

 A community radio station is a locally operated radio station that is set up, managed, and operated by members of a specific community to serve the interests, culture, and needs of that community. There are 540 Commissioned Community Radio Stations in India as on date.

Programmes over Community Radio, besides being in the local dialect, can be made to suit the needs of the listeners. Indeed, it is an empowering experience for many of the marginalized sections in society to just be able to hear their own voices over the medium of the Community Radio. Remote communities, be they farmers, fisher folk, students or daily-wage workers, contribute regularly to this radio medium as their own. This is unimaginable on any other mainstream media. Naturally so, the programmes of preference cover topics such as health and hygiene, feedback pertaining to agriculture and fisher folk issues, road safety, water conservation, rain water harvesting, folk culture and life, as well as entertainment by local residents and students.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also streamlined process for setting up of Community Radio Stations and various approvals that the stations need to take. Applicants can now apply online on the Broadcast Seva Portal and track status of their pending application through the portal.

And to strengthen the Community Radio Sector, the Government of India approved a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) namely “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India”. The various activities have been proposed under the scheme to achieve the following: –

i) To create awareness about the scheme by holding workshops to encourage more and more organizations to apply for setting up of CRS and greater reach of Community Radio Stations in media dark areas.

 ii) To create capacity building of the prospective applicants.

 iii) To strengthen both new and existing CRS with resources, capacity and technology, thereby increasing number and effectiveness of operational CRS.

 iv) Handholding of CRS.

Under this scheme, the Ministry provides financial assistance between Rs. 15.60 Lakhs to Rs. 21.00 Lakhs in other than North East region and between Rs. 18.20 lakhs to Rs. 24 lakhs in North East region for setting-up of New CRSs with special focus on the use of green energy (solar) and women participation. Financial assistance upto Rs. 10.50 Lakhs and upto Rs. 11.10 Lakhs is also provided to existing CRSs in other than North East region and North East region respectively, for renewal or replacement of equipment. An emergency grant upto Rs. 11.50 Lakhs is also provided in extreme emergency situations like natural calamities, lightning, cyclone, etc. to cover damages caused to Community Radio Stations.    

For the past many years, the Ministry has also been organizing Awareness Workshops in different parts of the country. These workshops have been successful in addressing issues concerning guidelines, application procedure, content and sustainability issues for CRS. These workshops have also proved to be useful not only to spread awareness but also build capacities of the NGOs and other organizations to operate Community Radio Stations in an effective way.

Community Radio Stations, by their very definition, confirm to this motto of leaving no one behind as these are people’s institutions at the grassroots that strive to give messages to the last person, while also giving this last individual the opportunity to voice his or her opinion, confirming to the right to free expression.

Finally, it is important to also commend the Community Radio Movement in the country for its yeoman service to the communities it has served. It is evident from the work of the Community Radio Stations of the Indian Community Radio sector has been working in the direction of the agenda for sustainable development.

 

Details of Community Radio Stations in Tamil Nadu:

 

S.No.

Name of Organization

Location of CRS

CRS DISTRICT

Name of CRS

Mail ID-1

1

Anna University

Anna University, guindyvaooab

Chennai

Anna FM

annacommunityradio[at]gmail[dot]com

2

Subbalakshmi Lakshmipathy College of Science

Shyamalavani Community Radio 90.4 MHz,
 TVR Nagar, Aruppukkottai Road,
 Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625022

Madurai

Shyamalavani

ads@shyamalavani.in

3

Sri Aurobindo Society

Pudhiya Udhayam CRS, Saranac Training Centre, Bungalow Medu Junction, Perambai Panchayat, Villupuram Dt

Viluppuram

Pudiya Udayam Community Radio 91.2

senthil@aurosociety.org

4

Kongu Engineering College

THOPPUPALAYAM, PERUNDURAI, ERODE, TAMILNADU, INDIA 638060

ERODE

KONGU COMMUNITY RADIO

kongucrs@kongu.ac.in

5

M. O .P . Vaishnav college for women

No:20,IVth Lane, Nungambakkam High road, Nungambakkam,Chennai-600034

Chennai

M.O.P Comunity Radio Station

crsmop[at]gmail[dot]com

6

Erode Sengunthar Engineering College

No: 20, 4th Lane, Thousand Lights West, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600034.

ERODE

MUGIL CRS

contact@esec.ac.in

7

Loyola College

Sterling Rd, Nungambakkam

Chennai

icstreasuresj[at]gmail[dot]com

8

Peace Industrial School

Pasumai Community Radio,Sirumalai Palaiyur, Dindigul, TamilNadu

Dindigul

Pasumai community radio

chairman@peacetrust.in

9

Holy Cross College

HOLY CROSS COMMUNITY RADIO 90.4 MHZ, HOLY CROSS COLLEGE,TRICHY-2

Tiruchirappalli

HOLY CROSS COMMUNITY RADIO

holycross_communityradio@yahoo.com

10

SRM Institute of Science and Technology

Room no.608.A Hi-Tech block.kattankulathur.603203.Chengalpat district. Tamilnadu.

Chengalpattu

Muthucharam Community Radio

cr.muthucharam@90.4[at]gmail[dot]com

11

PSG College of Technology

The Principal,
 PSG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY,
 AVINASHI ROAD, PEELAMEDU,
 COIMBATORE ,TAMIL NADU-641004

Coimbatore

PSG COMMUNITY RADIO

SEKARAN_53@REDIFFMAIL.COM

12

Aditanar College of Arts & Science

Virapandianpatnam

Thoothukudi

Sivanthi Community Radio

isehar_9307@yahoo.co.in

13

Dhan Foundation

Vanabathrakaliamman Street, Vizhunthamavadi, Keeahiyur Block, Nagapattinam

Nagapattinam

Kalanjiam Samuga Vanoli

kalanjiamvanoli[at]gmail[dot]com

14

PGP College of Engineering & Technology

PGP College Campus, NH-44,Karur main road, Namakkal-637207

Namakkal

PGP Community Radio

pgpcrs[at]gmail[dot]com

15

K.S. Rangasamy Educational
 Insitutions

Tiruchengode

Namakkal

KSR Community Radio

secretary@ksrct.ac.in

16

Tamilnadu Agricultural University

Lawley Road

Coimbatore

TNAU Vivasayee community Radio Station

Vc@tnau.ac.In

17

Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development

Chennai – Bangalore Highway, Pennalur, Sriperumbudur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105

Kanchipuram

Ilanthalir

surendrababu.rgniyd[at]gov[dot]in

18

Rathinam College of Arts & Science

Rathinavani 90.8 Community Radio, Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Rathinam Groups of Institutions, Coimbatore

Coimbatore

Rathinavani 90.8 Community Radio

mukesh.fm@rathinam.in

19

Madurai District Tank Farmers Federation

W5/565, Mdcc Bank First Floor, Trichy Road, Kottampatti, Melur Taluk

Madurai

Vayalaga Vanoli

vayalagavanoli[at]gmail[dot]com

20

AGN School

AGN School Community Radio Station,
  Appu Thottam, Konganapuram, Salem, Tamilnadu – 637102

SALEM

AGN SCHOOL COMMUNITY RADIO STATION

programs.agncrs[at]gmail[dot]com

21

SSM College of Engineering

SSM College of Engineering,NH 47,Salem main road,Komarapalayam,Namakkal(DT),638183

Namakkal

SSM COMMUNITY RADIO

crs@ssmce.ac.in

22

Nalamdana

Kadambam Apartment, 4/192, I Floor, Ellaiamman kovil street, Neelankarai, Chennai. 600115

Chennai

Thendral Community Radio

nalamdana[at]gmail[dot]com

23

VIT University

804, Silver Jubilee Tower

Vellore

VIT Community Radio 90.8

vitcr@vit.ac.in

24

Keystone Foundation

Radio Kotagiri 90.4 MHz, Keystone Foundation, Groves Hills Road, P.B.No- 35, Kotagiri, The Nilgiris, Tamilnadu.

Nilgiris

Radio Kotagiri 90.4 MHz

radio@keystone-foundation.org

25

Periyar Maniamai College of Technology for Women

Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science & Technology,Periyar Nagar,Vallam,Thanjavur 613403,Tamilnadu

Thanjavur

Periyar Community Radio

registrar@pmu.edu

26

Bannari Amman Institute of Technology

Alathukombai, Sathyamangalam, Erode Dt, Tamil Nadu-638401

Erode

Bannari Amman CR

crmanager@bitsathy.ac.in

27

Arasu Engineering College

Chennai main road,thiruvisanallur village, Arasu engineering college,Kumbakonam

Thanjavur

WSTN_ARASU FM

arasuengg@aec.org.in

28

Bullock Cart Workers Development Association (BWDA)

BWDA Community Radio,No 858 East pondy Road Villupuram

Viluppuram

BWDA 90.4 CRS

ashok.a@bwda.org.in

29

Imam Shafi (RAM) Matriculation Higher Secondery School

PATTUKKOTTAI ROAD, ADIRAMPATTINAM-614701, THANJAVUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

Thanjavur

ADIRAI FM 90.4 CRS

904@adiraifm.in

30

Sakthi Medical trust

No:1, Om Sakthi Nagar Kpn Colony Extension

Tiruppur

Tirupur Pannbalai

sakthi.mtrust[at]gmail[dot]com

31

National Institute of Technology

NIT Trichy Community Radio Station, 3rd Floor, Central Library Building, National Institute of Technology, NH83 Tanjore Main Road, Tiruchirappalli / 620015

Tiruchirappalli

NIT Trichy Community Radio Station

nittcrsfm[at]gmail[dot]com

32

Nesakkarangal Charitable Trust

No. 125, Railway feeder road, Pamban

Ramanathapuram

Kadal Osai FM 90.4

kadalosaifmad[at]gmail[dot]com

33

TAMILNADU SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ORGANISATION

Plot No.: 39, Mura Bhavan, Koodal Nagar, Rajagopalapuram Post,
  Pudukkottai – 622 003, Tamil Nadu

Pudukkottai

Pudhugai FM 91.2 MHz

tnsroindia[at]gmail[dot]com

34

Sri Sankara Arts and Science College

SRUTHI COMMUNITY RADIO STATION 90.8MHz,
  SRI SANKARA ARTS & SCIENCE COLLEGE (CAMPUS), ENATHUR, KANCHIPURAM – 631 561.

KANCHIPURAM

SRUTHI CRS

krvsankara[at]gmail[dot]com

35

Velicham Trust

235/86S/2, Gandhipuram Bus Stop Near Kosavapatti, Thangachiyammapatti Post Oddanchatram, Taluk

Dindigul

Thoni CRS

velichamindia[at]gmail[dot]com

36

Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College

Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal Community Radio, ANJA COLLEGE, Srivilliputtur Road, Sivakasi 626124

Virudhunagar

Radio ANJA (Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal Radio)

anjacradio@anjaconline.org principal@anjaconline.org

37

Alagappa University

Alagappa University College of Education Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi

Sivaganga

Alagappa University Community Radio

registrar@alagappauniversity.ac.in

38

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University

Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli

registraroffice@msuniv.ac.in

39

E.G.S. Pillay Engineering College

Old Nagore Road, Thethi Village

Nagapattinam

EGS Pillay CRS 90.0

ceo@egspec.org

40

J.K.K.Munirajah College of Technology

J.K.K.Munirajah College of Technology, T.N.Palayam, P.O-Gobi (TK), Erode (DT), Tamil Nadu- 638506

Erode

JKKM COMMUNITY RADIO

principal309[at]gmail[dot]com

41

Wings Trust,Karur

SIRAGUGAL CRS 89.6, WINGS TRUST, 10/178,CA NIVAS, EAST STREET, PANCHAMADEVI -POST, KARUR – TK & DISTRICT. PIN 639 004,TAMILNADU

Karur

Siragugal CRS

rtnchidambaram[at]gmail[dot]com

42

Anand Institute of Higher Technology

Kalasalingam Nagar Old Mahabalipuram Road, Kazhipattur,

Kanchipuram

Anand Radio

anandradio@aiht.ac.in sankaramalligag.ece@aiht.ac.in

43

Alayam Welfare Trust

No. 18/1, Abirami Nagar,Kalvermalayam ,PO vandavalli City

Coimbatore

Alayam FM Radio 90.00Mhz.

crmanager@alayamtrust.com

44

Marutam Nelli Polytechnic College

Marutam Nelli Polytechnic College2/1, Pennagaram Main Road, Pallpatti,Nathahalli

Dharmapuri

RADIO MARUTAM (MARUTAM NELLI – 89.6)

marutamnellifm[at]gmail[dot]com

45

Valliappa Foundation

Rockies estate,
 Tipperary Road,
  Yercaud,
 Tamil Nadu 636601.

Salem

Sona FM – Namma Makkalin Kural

Subramanyam.k@valliappafoundation.org

46

Salem District Vannier Aakattalai

Ariyampalayam Village,
  Utthama,
 Chozhapuram Panchayat,
  Ariyanopor Post,
 Salem South Taluk,
 Salem,
 TamilNadu- 636308

Salem

Thoza FM

muthurv143[at]gmail[dot]com

47

Mahendra College of Engineering (erstwhile Maha College of Engineering)

Maha College of Engineering, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636106

Salem

Mahendra Community Radio Station 90.4

info@mahacollege.com

48

Devanayagi Educational trust

St. Paul’s Matric School, V Kotta Road, Permambut, Gudiyatham Taluk, Vellore District TamilNadu- 635810

Vellore

DNET CRS

sagaprasathkumar[at]gmail[dot]com