I and B Ministry tie up with NGO for community radio

New Delhi, Oct 25 (UNI) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched its first-ever Community Radio in collaboration with an NGO, the Society for Development Alternatives.

The Community Radio was launched on October 23 at Taragram, Orchha in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. It has become possible after the Ministry's permission to the Delhi based NGO, to establish, maintain and operate a Community Radio.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry has given permission to 34 NGOs so far to set up and operate Community Radio Stations in different parts of the country.

The Society for Development Alternatives is engaged in natural resource management in the region through a range of activities involving conversion of wasteland to productive land, water conservation and promotion of appropriate farming practices and livestock management.

Besides, the NGO has been developing partnerships and alliances with banks, research institutes, government departments, Panchayats and civil society organisations to ensure convergence of developmental goals in Bundelkhand.

The Central government, in December 2006, had liberalized the Policy on Community Radio by bringing in the civil society and voluntary organisations, agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras etc also under its ambit.

The policy was liberalized with a view to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues of development and social change.

The Community Radio initiative aims to empower women, youth and marginalised groups to take part in local self-governance and overall socio-economic and cultural development of the area.

UNI AR KK GC0926