Other States - Puducherry   

“Community radio stations vital”

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Launch: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy releasing a book at the regional consultation on community radio awareness in Puducherry on Tuesday.

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Tuesday said steps should be taken to set up more Community Radio (CR) stations, especially in villages, in the Union Territory.

Inaugurating the third regional consultation on community radio awareness, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in association with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia, he said CR stations facilitated easy access to local news and information.

“At present, there are three CR stations in Puducherry. The number should increase to help villagers,” he said.

“The Centre offers an assistance of Rs. 14 lakh to start a CR station. Through the stations, we can provide information to women self-help groups, farmers and cooperative sugar mills,” Mr. Rangasamy said.

The Pondicherry University would soon set up a radio station, he said, urging NGOs to set up CR stations.

Vice- Chancellor of Pondicherry University J.A.K. Tareen said outreach was missing from the thrust areas of higher education in the 11th Five Year Plan. “The thrust areas are access, equity and excellence. The gap will be filled by community radios,” he said.

Joint Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Zohra Chatterji said a total of 246 FM licences had been issued to private players in the country.

“Following this, we expect a similar quantum jump with CR to empower the marginalised people,” he said.

The Ministry had issued 102 letters of intent for CR stations, of which 32 were for NGOs and 42 for educational institutions. “We had received 246 applications, including those from educational institutions. The southern States are ahead of other regions in setting up CR stations,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University Karpaga Kumaravel, former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Open University N.S. Ramegowda, Managing Director of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Educational Trust M. Dhanasekaran and director of Commonwealth Media Centre for Asia R. Sreedher spoke.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

“Community radio stations vital”
No let-up in motorists queues
BSNL, NGO pact to provide e-learning
Association stages protest
Minister clarifies
NSUI bandh
Bank adopts 8 girl children

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu