Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu,
Minister for Information & Broadcasting, today chaired the meeting of
Consultative Committee of I&B Ministry to discuss the roadmap for
developing Community Radio in the country. Minister of State for I&B Col.
Rajyavardhan Rathore was also present in the meeting.
In
his opening remarks, Shri Naidu apprised the Members of the Committee about the
various steps and initiatives being taken by the Ministry to promote community
radio movement in the country. He mentioned that Ministry has recently enhanced
the subsidy amount for setting up of Community Radio Stations from 50 % to 90%
in the North Eastern States & 75% in other States, subject to a maximum
limit of Rs. 7.5 lakhs with a view to promote community radio tool as an
effective medium of communication.
Explaining
the significance of Community Radio as a communication medium, Shri Naidu said
that it was a useful tool to cater to the information needs of the people in
local language/dialect. CR Stations broadcast programmes on various issues
which were of immediate relevance to the community and facilitate development
by disseminating information regarding education, rural development,
agriculture, health, nutrition environmental, social welfare, Panchayati Raj
issues and cultural needs. Community Radios (CR) have potential to bring a very
significant positive social change at the community level. It also works as a
powerful means for rural empowerment, upliftment of dalits and women.
Shri
Naidu wished the esteemed Members of the Parliament on the happy occasion of
Ugadi. He added that Ugadi heralds the arrival
of spring and warmer weather signifies the start of a new year in many parts of
South India. The joyous festival signifies growth and prosperity and as with
all New Year festivals, it provides an opportunity to start new ventures. He
also explained the significance of Ugadi Pachhadi, a combination of six
different tastes (shat ruchi) consisting of sweet, sour, spicy or pungent,
salty, astringent and bitter symbolized various emotions of happiness,
disgust, anger, fear, surprise and sadness.
Members
of the Committee while appreciating the efforts of the Ministry in developing
community radio provided valuable suggestions in enhancing the reach and
generating awareness about this medium of communication. They also mentioned
the need to fast track and streamline the the clearances process for setting up
of CRS in the country.
A presentation was made by Additional
Secretary on behalf of the Ministry giving an overview of the Community Radio
sector in the country. Members of the committee were apprised about the
achievements and initiatives of Ministry in facilitating the growth of
Community Radio in the country.
Parliamentarians Shri Manoj Kumar
Tiwari, Shri Vivek Gupta, Smt. Dev (Moon Moon Sen) Varma, Shri Harivansh, Shri
Madhusudan Mistry, Shri Prabhat Jha and Shri Neeraj Shekhar attended the
meeting. Secretary I&B, Shri Ajay Mittal and senior officers of the
Ministry were also present on the occasion.
Courtesy:pib.nic.in
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