COMMUNITY RADIO –FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

 

1.  What is a Community Radio?

 

• Community Radio means radio broadcasting with the objective of serving the cause of the community in the service area by involving members of the community in the broadcast of their programmes.

 

• It affords a unique advantage of receiving transmission through low cost, battery operated portable receiving sets.

 

2.  Who form the Community Listeners?

 

• Community Listeners would mean people living in the Coverage Zone of the Community Radio Stations i.e. in the broadcasting service of the licensee and having interest in the content

 

3.  Who are eligible to apply for grant of permission to run community

      radio stations?

 

(i)         The following category of institutions/organizations who satisfy the principles as given in para 3 (ii) below are eligible to apply:-

 

a.       ‘Non-profit’ organizations like civil Society and voluntary organizations registered under the societies act and having a proven record of at least three years of service to the local community at the time of application.

 

b.      State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), ICAR institutions and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

 

          c)    Well established educational institutions.

 

(ii)     Eligibility conditions

 

Ø      It should explicitly constituted as a non-profit organization and should have a

            proven record of at least three years of service to the community.

 

Ø      The CRS to be created by it should be designed to serve a specific well defined

Local community.

 

Ø      It should have an ownership and management structure that is reflective of the

Community that the CRS seeks to serve.

 

Ø      Programmes for broadcast should be relevant to the educational, developmental, social and cultural needs of the community.

 

Ø      It must be a legal entity i.e. it should be registered under the Societies Act or any other relevant Act for the purpose and having a proven record of at least three years of service to the community at the time of application.

 

4.         What is the procedure to obtain permission for setting up a community radio station?

 

·        The policy guidelines and the application form are available on the Ministry’s website: www.mib.nic.in or can be obtained on written request.   Eligible organizations can apply alongwith a processing fee of Rs.2500/- .

 

5.         What are the fees?

 

• There is no other fee charged by M/o I&B except that the applicant may be required to furnish a Bank Guarantee of Rs.25,000/- at the time of signing the Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA).

 

• However, one will have to pay requisite fee to WPC Wing of Ministry of Communication & IT for frequency allocation, Standing Committee on Frequency Allocation (SACFA) clearance and Wireless Operating License (WOL) etc. The details can be obtained from their website: www.wpc.dot.govt.in

 

6.       How the application for CRS will be processed?

 

• The Universities/Deemed University or Government run educational institution will have a single window clearance by putting up cases before an Inter Ministerial Committee chaired by Secretary, I&B for approval. Thereafter, a letter of Intent (LOI) will be issued granting permission to run a community radio.

 

•  In case of all other applicants, including private educational institutions, Letters of Intent (LOI) will be issued only on receipt of clearance from Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence & HRD (in case of private educational institutions) and allocation of frequency by WPC Wing of Ministry of Communication & IT.

 

 

7.   What is the tentative time frame fixed for processing application and issue of Letter of Intent?

 

            The following steps are taken to process the application:-

 

• Within one month of receipt of the application in the prescribed form, MIB shall process the application form and either communicate to the applicant deficiencies if any, or will send the copies of the application to other Ministries concerned for clearance.  In case, the reply/clearance is not received within three months time, the same shall be submitted to the Inter Ministerial Committee for clearance.

 

• On receipt of clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Defence and HRD (in case of private educational institutions), the same will be processed in MIB and  Letters of Intent will be issued granting permission to run CRS

 

• In the case of government run educational institutions, the same would be submitted for clearance of the Inter Ministerial Committee directly. 

 

8. (a)    What are the steps to be taken on receipt of LOI?

 

• Within one month of the issue of the LOI, the eligible applicant will be required to apply, in the prescribed format and with the registration fee to the WPC Wing of M/o Communication & IT, Sanchar Bhawan for frequency and SACFA clearance.

 

   (b)     What is SACFA clearance etc?

 

• SACFA is Standing Advisory Committee for Allocation of Frequency in Ministry of Communication & IT (Sanchar Bhawan, 20 Ashoka Raod, New Delhi) whose clearance is essential for running a broadcast transmitter.

 

•  A time frame of six months from the date of application has been fixed for issuing SACFA clearance and in the event of non-clearance of the proposal within the time frame, the same would be referred to the Inter-Ministerial Committee.

 

9.         When is Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) to be signed?

 

• On receipt of SACFA clearance, the LOI holder will be invited to sign the GOPA.

 

•  The LOI holder shall also furnish a bank guarantee in the prescribed format for a sum of Rs.25,000/- along with GOPA before signing of the same.

 

• The GOPA will enable the LOI holder to seek wireless operating License (WOL) from the WPC Wing of Ministry of Communication & IT.

 

10.   What are the important terms and conditions governing GOPA        for maintaining the validity for operating CRS?

 

• The permission/license will be for a period of 5 years, provided it is not terminated earlier in case of any violation/breach of its conditions. 

 

• The GOPA will be non-transferable.

 

• No permission fee shall be levied on the Permission Holder.  However, the Permission holder will be required to pay the spectrum usage fee to WPC wing of Ministry of Communication & IT.

 

• The permission holder shall set up the community radio station within three months of receipt of all clearances i.e. signing of GOPA.  LOI holder will intimate this to MIB.

 

• Failure to comply with time schedule prescribed above shall make the LOI/GOPA holder liable for cancellation of its LOI/GOPA and forfeiture of the bank guarantee.

 

• Permission for CRS is subject to regulatory authority to regulate & monitor the broadcast services in the country as and when it comes into force.

 

• Govt. of India reserves the right to take over the entire services & network in the interest of national security or in the event of national war/emergency or low intensity conflict or under similar type of situations.

 

11.       What type of program can be broadcasted from a Community

            Radio?

 

• The Programmes of Community Radio should be of immediate relevance to the community and focus on issues relating to education, health, environment, and agriculture and rural and community development.

 

• At least 50% of content shall be generated with the participation of the local community, for which the station has been set up.

 

• Transmission of sponsored programmes shall not be permitted except programmes sponsored by Central & State Govts. and other organizations to broadcast public interest information.

 

• Not to broadcast any programmes which relate to news and current affairs and are otherwise political in nature. The details about content regulation may be seen in the policy guidelines.

 

12.      Can Community Radio Stations air commercials?

 

• Limited advertising and announcements relating to local events, local business and services and employment opportunities shall be allowed.  The maximum duration for such advertising will be restricted to five minutes per hour of broadcast.

 

13.       What is the programme & advertising code to be followed?

 

• Programme & advertising code being followed and as prescribed for All India Radio shall be followed.  The permission holder shall ensure nothing of the following is included in the broadcast programme which:

 

a)      Offends against good taste of decency,

b)      Contains criticism of friendly countries;

c)      Contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which either promote or result in promoting communal discontent or disharmony’

d)      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 of which promote anti national attitudes.

f)        Contains anything amount to contempt of Court or anything affecting the integrity of the Nation.

g)      Contains aspersions against the dignity of the President/Vice President and the Judiciary of the India.

h)      Criticises, maligns or slanders any individual in person or certain groups, segments of social, public and moral life of the country.

i)        Encourages superstition or blind belief

j)        Denigrates women

k)      Denigrates children

l)        May present/depict or any 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.

 

14.       What is the programme retention period for the broadcasted

           programme?

 

• LOI holder shall have to preserve all programmes broadcast by the CRS for three months from the date of broadcast.

 

15.       How the CRS can be funded?

 

• Applicant can seek funding from multilateral aid agencies.

 

• Applicant seeking foreign funds for setting up CRS will have to obtain FCRA clearance under foreign contribution regulation Act, 1976.

 

·        Revenue generated from advertisements & announcements can be utilized only for the operational expenses & capital expenditure of CRS.

 

• Permission holder shall be required to submit their audited annual accounts to the Govt. showing clearly, the income, expenditure incurred, assets & liability in respect of CRS.

 

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

 

16. What are the technical parameters of a typical Community Radio Transmitter system?

    

·        Community Radio station is aimed at covering an area of 5-10km radius.

·        Effective Radiated Power (ERP) specified is 100 W. However, in special cases, UPTO 250 Watt ERP can be considered subject to conditions laid down in the guidelines.

·        The tower height to a maximum of 30m is allowed and that the minimum height is stipulated as 15m to prevent possibility of biological hazards of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation.

 

17. What are the major components of a Community Radio ?

 

(i)                  Transmitter

(ii)                Antenna with a feeder cable mounted on tower.

(iii)               Studio equipment comprising of Recording and Playback equipment.

(iv)              Studio Console/ Mixer.

(v)                Monitoring equipment.

 

18. Where can the Community Radio station be located?

 

• Community radio is to be located within the campus in case of Educational institutes.

 

• NGOs & others to locate their transmitter, antenna within the center of geographical area of the community they seek to serve.

 

19. What would be the Cost Estimate for establishment of a Typical Community Radio Station?

 

Different modules are available in the market.  However, certain modules with the following capital cost have been given in Annexure 1.  The cost indicated is exclusive of consultancy etc.

 

(a)      Capital cost Rs.6 lakhs

(b)      Capital Cost Rs.10 lakhs

(c)      Capital cost Rs16 lakhs

(d)      Capital cost Rs.20 lakhs

(e)      Capital cost Rs 25 lakhs

(f)        Capital cost of 11 lakhs

(g)      Capital cost of 27 lakhs

 

18. Which are the agencies, which can help in establishing Community Radio stations in India?

 

            There are a number of vendors available in the market. However, the following agencies could be of help:

 

            a)         Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited,

                        Head Office : 14-B, Ring Road,

                        Indraprastha Estate,

                        New Delhi -110002.  

                        (Contact person : Shri K.R.P.Verma,CMD, Tele: 2337 8823/24).

 

            b)         AIR Resources,

                        Prasar Bharati, DG, AIR

                        Akashwani Bhawan, Parliament Street,

                        New Delhi -110001.

                       (Contact person: Shri I.S.Mehla,G.M (Comm)

                       Tele: 23421187)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ANNEXURE- I

 

 

(A)       CRS PACKAGE OF Rs. 6.0 LACS

 

 

S.NO.	EQUIPMENT	QUANTITY	TentativeCost
	TRANSMITTER EQUIPMENTS
1	50 watt VHF FM Transmitter	1  set	Rs. 3 lacs
2	Dummy Load	1 no.
3	Low Power VHF Antenna	1 no.
4	RF Cable   ( RG 213)	50 mtr.
5	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS}  with Maintenance free Batteries for 15  Min. Backup	1 no.
6	15-30 mtr  high  Pole	1  no.
	STUDIO EQUIPMENTS
1	Commercial Analog Transmission cum Recording Stereo Console	1 no.	Rs. 3.0 lacs
2	Commercial CD Player	2 nos.
3	Studio Monitoring Head Phone	1 no.
4	Omni Directional Microphones with Table Stand (Condenser type)	1 nos.
5	Uni -Directional Microphone ( Condenser type) with stand	1 nos.
6	Commercial Stereo Cassette Player and Recorder	1 nos.
7	On Air Lamp with relay	1 No.
8	Misc. Cable and Connectors	3 nos.
9	Misc. furniture	1 set
10	Radio Logger Equipment	1 set
(i)	Installation, Testing, Commissioning,	1 lot	Extra
(ii)	Hardware and Software Training	1 lot	Extra
(iii)	Consultancy  Charges	1 lot	Extra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(B)       CRS PACKAGE OF Rs. 10.0 LACS

 

 

S.NO.	EQUIPMENT	QTY.	Tentative Cost
	TRANSMITTER EQUIPMENTS
1	50 / 100 watt VHF FM Transmitter	1  set	Rs. 4 lacs
2	Dummy Load	1 no.
3	Low Power VHF Antenna	1 no.
4	RF Cable   ( RG-213 )	40 mtr.
5	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS}  with Maintenance free Batteries for 30  Min. Backup	1 no.
6	30  mtr Pole/ Guyed mast	1  no.
	STUDIO EQUIPMENTS
1	Analog Transmission cum Recording Stereo Console	1 no.	Rs.6.0 lacs
2	Semi Professional Grade Rack Mountable CD Player	2 nos.
3	PHONE-IN-PROGRAM CONSOLE	1 no.
4	STEREO Monitoring Amplifiers	1 no.
5	Studio Monitoring Head Phone	2 nos.
6	Omni Directional Microphones with Table Stand (Condenser type)	2 nos.
7	Uni Directional Microphone ( Condenser type)	2 nos.
8	Semi Professional Stereo Cassette Player and Recorder	1 No.
9	On Air Lamp with relay	1 nos.
10	Misc. Cable and Connectors	1 set
11	Loud Speaker (Matched Pair)	1 set
12	Emergency lights	1 set
13	Quartz Clocks	1 set
14	Patch Cords (mono)	3 sets
15	19” Equipment Rack (half)	1 No.
16	Air conditioners	1 no.
17	Misc. furniture	LS
18	Radio Logger Equipment	1 set
(i)	Installation, Testing, Commissioning,	1 lot	Extra
(ii)	Hardware and Software Training	1 lot	Extra
(iii)	Consultancy Charges	1 lot	Extra

 

 

 

(C)       CRS PACKAGE OF Rs. 16.0 LACS

 

S.NO.	EQUIPMENT	QUANTITY	Tentative Cost
	TRANSMITTER EQUIPMENTS
1	50 /100 watt VHF FM Transmitter  (1+ 1 configuration) with auto changeover unit  mounted  in a Standard 19 “ Equipment Rack	1  set	Rs. 6 lacs
2	Dummy Load	1 no.
3	Low Power Two bay VHF Antenna	1 no.
4	RF Cable   ( RG-213 )	50 mtr.
5	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS}  with Maintenance free Batteries for 30  Min. Backup	1 no.
6	Window Air Conditioner	1 no.
7	30  mtr Pole/ Guyed mast	1  no.
	STUDIO EQUIPMENTS
1	Analog Transmission cum Recording Stereo Console	1 no.	Rs.7.0 lacs
2	Professional Grade Rack Mountable CD Player	2 nos.
3	PHONE-IN-PROGRAM CONSOLE	1 no.
4	PC Audio Work Station with ON air software	1 set
5	FM Tuner	1 no.
6	STEREO Monitoring Amplifiers	2 nos.
7	STEREO DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER	1 no.
8	Studio Monitoring Head Phone	2 nos.
9	Omni Directional Microphones with Table Stand (Condenser type)	2 nos.
10	Uni -Directional Microphone ( Condenser type)	2 nos.
11	Semi Professional Stereo Cassette Player and Recorder	1 No.
12	On Air Lamp with relay	2 nos.
13	Misc. Cable and Connectors	1 set
14	Loud Speaker (Matched Pair)	2 sets
15	Emergency lights	2 sets
16	Quartz Clocks	2 sets
17	Patch Cords (mono)	5 sets
18	19” Equipment Rack (half)	1 No.
19	Digital Multimeter.	1 No.
20	36” Boom stand for Announcer Mike with anti vibration mike holder	1 No.
21	Air conditioners	2 nos.
22	Misc. furniture	LS
23	Radio Logger Equipment	1 set
24	1 KVA UPS with Maintenance free Batteries for 30  Min. Backup	1 no.
25	Acoustic treatment	1 lot	Rs. 3.0 lacs
	MISC. WORKS/ SERVICES
(i)	Installation, Testing, Commissioning	1 lot	Extra
(ii)	Hardware and Software Training	1 lot	Extra
(iii)	Consultancy Charges	1 lot	Extra

 

 

(D)       CRS PACKAGE OF Rs. 20.0 LACS

 

S.NO.	EQUIPMENT	QUANTITY	Tentative Cost
	TRANSMITTER EQUIPMENTS
1	50/100 watt VHF FM Transmitter  (1+ 1 configuration) with Automatic RF Changeover unit mounted in a Standard 19 “ Equipment Rack	1  set	Rs. 7 lacs
2	Dummy Load	1 no.
3	Low Power Two bay VHF Antenna	1 no.
4	Foam Dielectric RF Cable   ( 7/8 “)	40 mtr.
5	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS} with Maintenance free Batteries for 30 Min. Backup  (1+1 hot standby mode)	1 no.
6	Window Air Condition	1 no.
7	30  mtr Pole/ Guyed mast	1  no.
	STUDIO EQUIPMENTS
1	Analog Transmission cum Recording Stereo Console	1 no.	Rs. 9.0 lacs
2	Professional Grade Rack Mountable CD Player	2 nos.
3	PHONE-IN-PROGRAM CONSOLE	1 no.
4	PC Audio Work Station with ON air software	1 set
5	PC Audio Work Station Automation software for Editing and dubbing	1 set
6	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS}  with Maintenance free Batteries for 30  Min. Backup  (1+1 hot standby mode)	1 sets
7	FM Tuner	1 no.
8	STEREO Monitoring Amplifiers	2 nos.
9	STEREO DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER	1 no.
10	Studio Monitoring Head Phone	2 nos.
11	Omni Directional Microphones with Table Stand (Condenser type)	2 nos.
12	Uni Directional Microphone ( Condenser type)	2 nos.
13	Semi Professional Stereo Cassette Player and Recorder	1 No.
14	On Air Lamp with relay	3 nos.
15	Misc. Cable and Connectors	1 set
16	Loud Speaker (Matched Pair)	3 sets
17	Emergency lights	3 sets
18	Quartz Clocks	3 sets
19	Patch Cords (mono)	5 sets
20	19” Equipment Rack (half)	1 No.
21	Digital Multimeter.	1 No.
22	36” Boom stand for Announcer Mike with anti vibration mike holder	1 No.
23	Split Air conditioners	2 nos.
24	Misc. furniture	LS
25	Radio Logger Equipment	1 set
26	Acoustic treatment, Ducting etc. and other related works	1 lot	Rs. 4.0 lacs
	MISC. WORKS/ SERVICES
(i)	Installation, Testing, Commissioning.	1 lot	Extra
(ii)	Hardware and Software Training	1 lot	Extra
(iii)	Consultancy  Charges	1 lot	Extra

 

(E)       CRS PACKAGE OF Rs.  25.0 LACS

 

S.NO.	EQUIPMENT	QUANTITY	Tentative Cost
	TRANSMITTER EQUIPMENTS
1	50/ 100 watt VHF FM Transmitter with digital inputs (1+ 1 configuration) with digital stereo module  input with Automatic RF Changeover unit mounted  in a Standard 19 “ Equipment Rack	1  set	Rs. 7 lacs
2	Dummy Load	1 no.
3	Low Power high gain VHF Antenna	1 no.
4	Foam Dielectric RF Cable   ( 7/8 “)	50 mtr.
5	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS}  with Maintenance free Batteries for 30  Min. Backup  (1+1 hot standby mode)	1 sets
6	30  mtr Pole/ Tower	1  no.
7	1 Ton Window Air-conditioner	1 no.
	STUDIO EQUIPMENTS
1	Digital Transmission cum Recording Stereo Console	1 no.	Rs. 14.0 lacs
2	Semi Professional Grade Rack Mountable CD Player	2 nos.
3	PHONE-IN-PROGRAM CONSOLE	1 no.
4	PC Audio Work Station with ON air software	1 set
5	PC Audio Work Station Automation software for Editing and dubbing	1 set
6	1 KVA online Uninterrupted Power Supply System {UPS}  with Maintenance free Batteries for 30  Min. Backup  (1+1 hot standby mode)	1 set
7	FM Tuner	1 no.
8	STEREO Monitoring Amplifiers	2 nos.
9	STEREO DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER	1 no.
10	Studio Monitoring Head Phone	2 nos.
11	Omni Directional Microphones with Table Stand (Condenser type)	4 nos.
12	Uni Directional Microphone ( Condenser type)	4 nos.
13	Professional Stereo Cassette Player and Recorder	1 No.
14	On Air Lamp with relay	3 nos.
15	Misc. Cable and Connectors	1 set
16	Loud Speaker (Matched Pair)	4 sets
17	Emergency lights	4 sets
18	Quartz Clocks	4 sets
19	Patch Cords (mono)	5 sets
20	19” Equipment Rack (half)	1 No.
21	Digital Multimeter.	1 No.
22	36” Boom stand for Announcer Mike with anti vibration mike holder	1 No.
23	Duct able  AC split unit	2 nos.
24	Misc. Furniture	LS
25	Acoustic treatment, Ducting etc. and other related works	1 lot	Rs. 4.0 lacs
	MISC. SERVICES
(i)	Installation, Testing, Commissioning	1 lot	Extra
(ii)	Hardware and Software Training	1 lot	Extra
(iii)	Consultancy  Charges	1 lot	Extra

 

F.  CRS Package of Rs. 27 lakhs

 

S No.	Equipment	Qty		Total Price (INR)
1	50W FM Transmitter	1+1
2	Audio Mixing Console for on-air studio	1
3	Microphone for presenters and panelist	3
4	Small adjustable microphone stands	3
5	Near Field monitoring	2
6	Head phones stereo	5
7	Head phones amplifier	1
8	Compact Disc player	2
9	Audio work station on air software	1
10	Software for editing & dubbing	1
11	Equipment rack	1
12	Audio patch panel 3 x 20with patch cords (6)	1
13	Audio distributor amplifier	1
14	Facility for creation of surround sound tracks & enhanced production
a	24 track digital mixer	1
b	Software applications along with workstation	1
c	Surround sound monitoring	1
15	Flash card based portable recorder	1
16	Microphone	1
17	UPS	1
18	DG set	1
Total			27,00,000
G.  CRS Package of Rs. 11lakhs
S No.	Equipment	Qty	Total Price (IN)
1	50W- Transmitter	1
2	Antenna System	1
4	Headphones	4
6	All-in -one System	1
7	Microphone (Omni directional)	2
13	Microphones stand – boom	3
15	Talk back System	1
16	Clock	2
17	Tools + Installation Material	1 lot
14	UPS System	1
15	Generator	1
TOTAL			11,00,000
Notes
1	The above cost is inclusive of Custom duty .
2	Cost do not include Technical logistics( P/S,AC,Tech furniture,Freight,forwarding & insurance) will be additional.
3	Cost of Consultation and system integration will be additional.