Haryana plans Community Radio Stations

Chandigarh, Jun 6 (UNI) In order to tap the vast potential offered by radio in establishing direct rapport with the people, the Haryana government has decided to promote non-profit organisations to set up Community Radio Stations in the state for the cause of social development.

An official spokesman today said the decision had been taken in the wake of the recent liberalised policy of the Union Government to grant permission for setting up Community Radio Stations all across the country by non-profit organisations.

Such bodies included voluntary organisations, State Agriculture Universities, ICAR Institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Registered Societies and Autonomous Bodies and Public Trusts registered under Societies Act, in addition to educational institutions.

Community Radio would mainly focus on issues relating to education, health, environment, agriculture, rural and community development and thus the advantage of the medium as an effective tool for empowerment of weaker sections would be manifold.

The new policy was aimed at allowing greater participation by the civil society on issues relating to development and social change, he added.

He said community radio, as distinct from Private FM broadcasting, would serve to bring small communities together, focus on the common man's day-to-day concerns and help in realising local aspirations.

It would contribute in providing a platform for knowledge and information dissemination and an interactive forum for strengthening participatory democracy, he added.

UNI