(a) the number of community radio stations which are operational at present,
State-wise;
(b) whether the Government has received applications/requests from educational
institutions to operate community radio stations;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
(d) whether Gram Panchayats and other Local Bodies are eligible for licenses for
Community Radio Broadcasting; and
(e) if not, the reasons thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S.JAIPAL REDDY)
(a) Seven community radio stations are operational at present. The State-wise
details are following:
Tamilnadu-3, Pondicherry-1, Rajasthan-1, Maharashtra-1, Uttar Pradesh-1.
(b)&(c) Yes, Sir. Till date, 68 applications have been received. 48 eligible
applications have been referred to Ministry of Home Affairs & Human Resource
Development for clearance and Ministry of Communications & IT for availability
of frequency. In case of 30 institutions clearances have been received from the
concerned ministries and subsequently letters of intent have been issued to
them. Of these 20 institutions have signed license agreement with us after
allocation of frequency by Ministry of Communication and 7 of them are
operational at present.
(d)&(e) No, Sir. As per the present policy only educational institutions are eligible
to seek licenses for Community Radio Broadcasting.