Non profit, educational institutions allowed to run community radio stations

Chennai: The Union Cabinet has decided to grant permission to non-profit organisations and educational institutions for setting up of community radio stations. Organisations that are eligible to set up such radio stations are: (a) Community-based organisations that have been in existence for more then three years (b) The radio station should be designed to serve a specific well defined local community (c) It should have an ownership and management structure and is reflective of the community that the radio station seeks to serve (d) Programmes for broadcast should be relevant to the educational, developmental, social and cultural needs of the community (e) It must be a legal entity in terms of having been registered under the Registration of Societies Act or any similar act relevant to the purpose.

Those barred from setting up and operating community radio stations include:
a) Private individuals;
b) Political parties or their affiliate organisations including students unions, women's unions, trade unions similar wings affiliated to political parties.
c) Organisations operating with a motive to earn profit;
d) Organisations expressely banned by the union and state governments.

The cabinet has also authorised the ministry of information and broadcasting to finalise the terms, conditions and procedures for setting up community radio stations .

The government's decision is expected to bring in a strong and vibrant local community radio broadcasting that would enhance pluralism and sustain diversity of cultures and languages. It is felt that the move would also strengthen decentralisation and participatory governance and disseminate information to the rural communities about the issues related to agriculture, education, health, social welfare and others.