Nilokheri/Karnal: The "Supporting Community Radio Movement in India" scheme, operated by the Central Government for funding community radio stations, has been extended until 2031, and revised guidelines will be issued soon. This information was provided by Dr. Virendra Singh Chauhan, Director of the Haryana Rural Development Institute, Nilokheri, and former President and National General Secretary of the Community Radio Association, in a press release issued here. He returned from participating in a two-day regional radio conference.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi.
Dr. Virendra Singh Chauhan stated that during the conference, an informal meeting of representatives from all community radio stations in Haryana was also held, where an agreement was reached to strengthen mutual coordination and cooperation. The meeting discussed local problems faced by Haryana's radio stations and concrete solutions to address them. Dr. Chauhan stated, "Community radio is a medium that strengthens the roots of democracy. Haryana's community radio will continue to amplify rural voices and reach the last person in society."
Dr. Chauhan highlighted the demand for media accreditation for community radio representatives before the officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He suggested that the Ministry write to the state Public Relations Directorates to ensure the accreditation process for community radio representatives. Technical training and financial support were also discussed to make community radio stations self-reliant. Radio stations shared their experiences, and important discussions were held on content creation, administrative coordination, and community engagement.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and various ministries involved in community radio participated in the conference. The officials established direct dialogue with community radio operators and program producers and discussed solutions to their current problems. While the challenges were discussed openly, there was also a positive dialogue on practical solutions.
Ms. Shilpa Rao, Director (CRS), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, addressed the community radio stations. Emphasizing on the expansion of radio networks and innovations, he discussed in detail new policies, process improvements and future plans for the promotion of community radio. He stated that the Government of India is committed to further strengthening and simplifying community radio. He extended his best wishes on the completion of 20 years of community radio in India. Professor Suresh Verma from Jamia Millia Islamia University participated in the conference. Representatives from around 100 community radio stations across North India, from Jammu and Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh, participated in the conference. From Haryana, Manish Yadav from Radio Aravali, Pritam Singh from Dadri, Manmohan Singh from Yamunanagar, Bharat Sopari from Ambala Cantt, Gaurav Martand, Rajpal, Imran, Preeti, Bharat, Diksha, Amit Bhatia, Himanshu Mehta from Radio Gramodaya, and other representatives participated in the conference.