New Delhi, August 07: As per the Policy Guidelines for setting up of Community Radio Stations in India, the basic objective of Community Radio Broadcasting is to serve the cause of the community residing within the service area of the Community Radio Station (CRS).
Further, under the Policy Guidelines, the Government has the power to direct Community Radio Stations to broadcast any special message considered necessary to meet contingencies arising out of natural emergencies, natural disasters, public interest or similar situations, and the permission holder is obliged to comply with such directions.
The Policy Guidelines also permit Community Radio Stations to broadcast public announcements relating to civic amenities, natural calamities, health alerts and other information provided by the local administration.
Accordingly, Community Radio Stations (CRSs) play an important role in disseminating timely and reliable information in local languages during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Further, considering the proven utility of Community Radio Stations in meeting the information needs of local communities, particularly in flood-prone, coastal and other disaster-vulnerable areas, the Ministry addressed communications to the Chief Secretaries and the Administrative Secretaries of the Departments of Revenue and Disaster Management of the States and UTs concerned, requesting them to utilize this effective medium for dissemination of disaster-related information and to identify and promote the establishment of new Community Radio Stations in such areas.
Community Radio Stations are supported under the Central Sector Scheme “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India”, which has been approved for continuation during the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹50 crore.
The Scheme aims to strengthen new and existing Community Radio Stations by providing financial assistance for procurement or replacement of equipment required for setting up and operation of Community Radio Stations, including backup power equipment such as UPS, Generator Sets and Solar Power Systems to ensure continuity of broadcasting during emergencies.
The Scheme also provides for an Emergency Grant of ₹11.50 lakh to operational Community Radio Stations in the event of natural disasters such as floods, lightning, earthquakes etc.
The information was provided by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, in a written reply to a Question asked by Shri Kanad Purkayastha, Shri Manan Kumar Mishra, Smt. Seema Dwivedi, Shri Shambhu Sharan Patel, Smt. Sadhna Singh in the Rajya Sabha today.
