The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on March 22, 2023, issued recommendations on "Issues related to Community Radio Stations”
The following are the salient features of the recommendation: -
• Non-for-profit companies established under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 are already covered in the extant eligibility criteria for CRS
• The initial period of permission should be increased from five (5) years to ten (10) years, at a time.
• Community Radio Stations will be required to obtain continued service reports from the SDM of the concerned District for grant of the license extension
• Not-for-profit organizations, operating in multiple districts, should be allowed to set up multiple CRS in their area of operation.
• An organisation seeking to set up multiple stations should submit an undertaking confirming that the programs will be prepared locally and not sent from other CRS.
• All the universities of Central/State Governments may be provided budgetary support to establish and operate Community Radio Stations
• SACFA clearance should be granted within one month of application.
[Press Release No. 25/2023]
