K'taka Information Department to start Community Radio Stations

Tumkur, Karnataka, Jun 10 (UNI) The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has allotted nine Community Radio Stations to be commissioned in coordination with the Karnataka Information Department.

Addressing the valedictory of a two-day national seminar on 'Community Radio Stations in India' here yesterday, Karnataka Information Department Commissioner Ravindranath Tagore said that the Center has permitted the State to start nine community radio stations.

He said that the proposed nine Radio stations would be set up in all the four revenue divisions including Mysore, Tumkur, Koppal, Chamarajanagar, Davanagere and Gadag involving NGOs.

He said that the Community Radio Stations were sanctioned with an intention to reach a targeted audience to make their voice heard.

The Community Radio Stations would help to create awareness about various welfare schemes and programmes aimed at empowerment of poor, women and depressed classes of the society.

Mr Tagore said that the State Information Department has already received over 200 applications from various NGO's and it was in the process of shortlisting before selecting the right and genuine operators.

Ms Nandini Sahai, Director, Media Information and Communication Center of India (MICCI), said that the Seminar was aimed at creating awareness about the advantages of the Community Radio Stations and its best use in the welfare of targeted audience.

She said that similar Seminars would be held in North-Eastern States also.

Over 14 NGO's, Media personnel including both print and electronic media from all parts of Karnataka participated in the Seminar.

UNI