New Delhi: The Central Government has taken a significant step towards strengthening the Community Radio network by directing the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, as well as the Secretaries of the Revenue and Disaster Management Departments, to take necessary steps to establish new Community Radio Stations in flood-affected, coastal and other disaster-prone areas and strengthen the existing network.
The initiative aims to ensure that timely and reliable information reaches affected communities during natural disasters, particularly when mobile networks and other communication systems may be disrupted.
The government believes that Community Radio can serve as an effective and reliable medium for disseminating local information during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Essential information to reach people in local languages:-
According to the government, Community Radio plays an important role during floods, earthquakes, cyclones, coastal storms and other emergencies. Through these stations, vital information can be delivered to people in local languages and dialects in a timely manner.
Community Radio can broadcast flood warnings, weather alerts, health advisories, information on relief and rescue operations, and guidelines issued by the government and local administration directly to affected communities.
Broadcasting such information in local languages can make emergency messages easier to understand and help people take necessary precautions in time.
Government messages during emergencies:-
During a disaster or other emergency, the Central or concerned State Government may direct Community Radio Stations to broadcast special messages. Under the applicable arrangements, the concerned stations are required to broadcast such government messages.
The purpose of this arrangement is to ensure that government warnings, relief instructions and other public-interest messages reach people as quickly as possible during a crisis. It can also help counter rumours and misinformation by providing communities with authentic and verified information.
₹50 crore scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31:-
The Central Government has approved the continuation of the ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme for the financial period from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total outlay of ₹50 crore.
The financial assistance will support the establishment of new Community Radio Stations as well as the strengthening of existing stations. Assistance will also be provided for the purchase of essential broadcasting equipment and replacement of outdated equipment to help ensure uninterrupted operations.
Backup power to ensure continued transmission:-
Power supply is often disrupted during natural disasters, which can affect communication systems. To address this challenge, the scheme places emphasis on backup power arrangements at Community Radio Stations.
These arrangements will help stations continue broadcasting during power outages, ensuring that the flow of information between relief agencies, government authorities and the public is not disrupted.
Damaged stations can receive up to ₹11.50 lakh:-
In the event that a Community Radio Station is damaged by a natural calamity, an emergency grant of up to ₹11.50 lakh can be provided to help restore its transmission facilities.
The assistance is aimed at restoring damaged transmission systems as quickly as possible so that information services in affected areas are not disrupted for an extended period.
States and UTs to play an active role:-
The Central Government has asked States and Union Territories to play an active role in strengthening the Community Radio network, particularly in disaster-prone areas.
The information was provided by Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
He said the government’s objective is to make disaster management more effective by strengthening the Community Radio network in disaster-prone areas across the country. States and Union Territories have also been directed to take necessary steps in this regard.
