GUIDELINES FOR FUNDING OF COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS IN

PRIVATE ORGANIZATION UNDER THE SCHEME SUPPORT TO STATE

EXTENSION PROGRAMMES FOR EXTENSION REFORMS
Foreword
In December 2002, the Government of India approved a policy for the

grant of licenses for setting up of Community Radio Stations to well established

educational institutions including IITs/ IIMs. The matter was re-reconsidered and
the Government has now decided to broad base the policy by bringing Non-

profit organizations like civil society and voluntary organizations etc under its

ambit in order to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues relating
to development & social change.
2.

In view of the Revised Policy, with the approval of the Policy Committee, a

decision was taken to invite proposals from SAUs for setting up maximum one
CRS in SAU run KVKs located in the premises of SAU for funding under the

Centrally Sponsored Scheme Support to State Extension Programmes for

Extension Reforms
3.

CRS would make a major contribution to agricultural extension by utilizing

reach of radio transmitter and disseminating information and knowledge,

produced locally and having relevance for a specific area. In order to give further
boost to this initiative it is essential to consider funding of private institutions

along with Government and Quasi-government organizations for setting up CRS.

Accordingly, the guidelines for funding of private institutions under Scheme

Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms have been
developed as under.
I.

BASIC PRINCIPLES
An organisation/ agency/ NGO desirous of operating Community Radio

Station (CRS) must be able to satisfy and adhere to the following principles.
a)

Hold a valid license issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

for operating the CRS.

b)

The CRS to be operated by it should be designed to serve a specific well

defined community.

c)

It should have an ownership and management structure that is reflective

of the community that the CRS seeks to serve.

d)

It must be registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or any other

such act and recognized by the Central Government /State Government and
serving for at least three years in Agriculture and allied areas.
2.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The following types of organizations shall be eligible to apply for funding of

CRS under Scheme Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension

Reforms

Community based organizations, which satisfy the principles enlisted in Basic

Principles of these guidelines would be eligible. These could include - State

Agricultural

Universities

(SAUs)

and

Organizations/Agencies/NGOs/KVKs

registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860

or any other such act and

recognized by the Central Government /State Government and

serving in

Agriculture and allied areas. Registration at the time of application should be at

least three years old.
a)

These Organizations should primarily be engaged in agricultural and allied

activities i.e. Horticulture, Dairy, Fishery, Poultry, Piggery, etc. having a proven
record of at least three years service to the local community.
b)

The Organizations should have the technical competence to produce and

broadcast agricultural programmes. These programmes should preferably be

location-specific and in local language/dialect so as to provide extension services

that meet the needs of that particular locality and address the specific problems of
the farmers of that area.
c)

The Organizations should have basic infrastructure and facilities in the

form of a room of about 400 sq. feet/ electricity/ necessary manpower to run and
operate the CRS.
3.

SELECTION PROCESS AND PROCESSING OF THE APPLICATIONS

Applications shall be invited by the State Department of Agriculture.

Suitable proposal/s must be first selected and recommended by ATMA

Management Committee of the concerned District and thereafter, by the Nodal

Officer/ Commissioner of Agriculture of the concerned State and forwarded to

DAC for consideration of the competent authority. The Governing Body of ATMA

at the district level and Inter- Departmental Working Group (IDWG) of the State
should be apprised of the matter in the subsequent meeting.
CONTENT REGULATION AND MONITORING

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

The programmes should be of immediate relevance to the farming

community and the programming should reflect the special interest and
needs/requirements of the local community.

At least 50 percent of the broad casting time should be allocated to

Agriculture and allied sectors. The revenue generated should be ploughed
back into content creation and running of the CRS.

Programmes should preferably be in the local language and dialect.

The programmes for broadcasting should be decided at least one month in

advance in consultation preferably with agriculture, allied departments

and KVK. SAUs should be consulted in special cases where nature of

subject/issue/programme would requires intervention/aid from SAUs.

Preference should be given for the issues reflected in Strategic Research

Extension

v)

(CDAPs).

Plans

(SREPs)/

Comprehensive

District

Agriculture

Plans

The SAUs/ organizations/ agencies/ NGOs should preserve all the

programmes broadcast by CRS for three months from the date of

broadcast and make them available to competent authorities, when asked

vi)

for.

The SAU/organisation/agency/NGO shall have to adhere to the provisions

of the programme and advertising code as prescribed for AIR and ensure
that nothing is included in the programme broadcast which :
(a)

Offends against good taste or decency;

(c)

Contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words

(b)

(d)

Contains criticism of friendly countries;

contemptuous of religious groups or which either promote or result

in promoting communal discontent or disharmony;

Contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and

suggestive innuendoes and half truths;

(e)

Is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against

maintenance of law and order or which promote anti-national
attitudes;

(f)

Contains anything amounting to contempt of court or anything

(g)

Contains aspersions against the dignity of the President/Vice-

(h)

Criticises, maligns or slanders any individuals in person or certain

(i)

Encourages superstition or blind belief;

(k)

Denigrates children;

(j)
(l)

affecting the integrity of the Nation;

President and the Judiciary;

groups, segments or social, public and moral life of the country;

Denigrates women;

May present/ depict/ suggest as desirable the use of drugs including

alcohol, narcotics and tobacco or may stereotype, incite, vilify or

perpetuate hatred against or attempt to demean any person or

group on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual

preference, religion, age or physical or mental disability.

vii)

The SAUs/organizations/agencies/NGOs shall ensure that due care is

a)

Exploitation of religious susceptibilities; and

b)

taken with respect to religious programmes with a view to avoid :

Committing offence to the religious views and beliefs of those

belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination.

FUNDING AND SUSTENANCE

The funding for setting up CRS would come from ATMA Resources and

shall be as per the approved SEWP. For seeking fund support under ATMA, the
proposal for setting up of CRS be reflected in the Work Plan.

For sustenance, the Agency would be required to give an undertaking for

continuing the broadcasting of agricultural programs for two years after the
discontinuation of funding support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India
and for further period of two years after renewal of license.

COST NORMS FOR FUNDING OF CRS UNDER ATMA

Essential components with cost required for setting up of

Community Radio Station (CRS)

S.
No.
1.
(i)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
(ii)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
(iii)
(iv)

(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)

Component
Hardware
Studio Facility Comprising of 1 On-Air cum Production
Studio and 1 discussion Studio
Audio Mixing Console
Semi-Professional C.D. Player/Cassette Player/Recorder
Microphones + Microphone stands
Stereo Headphone
Distribution Amplifier
Speakers
Phone in Console
Audio Patch Bay with Patch Cords
Audio Play Out System + Computer + Sound card
Editing Software (in local language)/Recorder PB System
Software
USB MP3 Audio Recorder
Near Field Monitor (1 pair)
SUB TOTAL
Transmission Facility
50 W FM Transmitter in 1+1 configuration with patch Bay
Dummy Load 100 W
FM Antenna two Bay
RF Cable 50 Mtr.
Logger Software + PC + FM Receiver /PC Work Station
30 Mtr. Guyed Tower
SUB TOTAL
Civil /Electrical/ Acoustic Work for 400 sq. ft.
Air-conditioning 2 nos. 1.5 ton split AC units for studio and
1 no. Window type 1.5 ton AC for transmission cum UPS
room
Un-interrupted Power Supply System 3 KVA 30 minute
backup
Diesel Generator 5 KVA
Installation material comprising of audio cables, connectors
RF connectors etc.
Installation and commissioning /Consultancy and Design
GRAND TOTAL

Cost

40000
40000
19500
5000
12000
10000
20000
7000
70000
30000
15000 (3)
12000
2,80,500
225000
25000
40000
25000
55000
110000
4,80,000
3,20,000
60000

60000
125000
30000
100000
14,55,500

Proposed cost for running of CRS

Year

Amount
(Rs in lakh)

(a) Setting up of CRS with (i) Twin Transmitters of 50 watt

power with 100 ERP with manual change over, (ii) One onair & one production studio in an area of 400 Sq. ft, (iii)
Antenna height of 30 mtrs. above the ground
(b)
Expenditure for Content creation for two hrs. of
programme daily i.e. 730 hrs/ year @ Rs. 2,350/- per hr.
TOTAL

14,55,000/-

First Year :

17,15,500/31,70,500/-

Second Year:
(a) Expenditure for Content creation for 1 hrs. of
programme daily i.e. 548 hrs/ year @ Rs. 2,350/- per hr.
Third Year :
(a) Expenditure for Content creation for hr. of programme
daily, i.e. 183 hrs/year @ Rs.2,350/- per hr.

12,87,800/-

4,30,050/-