Administrator
08 August 2026
*Representational picture courtesy bitsathy.ac.in
Considering the proven utility of Community Radio Stations in meeting the information needs of local communities, particularly in flood-prone, coastal and other disaster-vulnerable areas, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has sought to promote it.
Toward this end, the Ministry had addressed communications to the Chief Secretaries of states including Jharkhand and the Administrative Secretaries of the Departments of Revenue and Disaster Management of the States/UTs concerned, requesting them to utilise this effective medium for dissemination of disaster-related information and to identify and promote the establishment of new Community Radio Stations in such areas.
Community Radio Stations are supported under the Central Sector Scheme "Supporting Community Radio Movement in India", which has been approved for continuation during the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹50 crore.
The Scheme aims to strengthen new and existing Community Radio Stations by providing financial assistance for procurement or replacement of equipment required for setting up and operation of Community Radio Stations, including backup power equipment such as UPS, Generator Sets and Solar Power Systems to ensure continuity of broadcasting during emergencies.
The Scheme also provides for an Emergency Grant of ₹11.50 lakh to operational Community Radio Stations in the event of natural disasters such as floods, lightning, earthquakes etc.
The information was provided by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan on August 7, in a written reply to a Question asked by Shri Kanad Purkayastha, Shri Manan Kumar Mishra, Smt. Seema Dwivedi, Shri Shambhu Sharan Patel, Smt. Sadhna Singh in the Rajya Sabha .
