Incentive Policy for Setting Up Community Radio Stations

Incentive Policy for Setting Up Community Radio Stations is a state-level scheme of the Uttarakhand government that gives financial grants to organizations for setting up radio stations in remote and disaster-prone areas. It supports community-level communication and disaster preparedness by funding both the infrastructure setup and the running costs of a station.

Under this policy, an eligible organization can get up to ₹20 lakh or the actual cost of setting up a new station, whichever is lower, plus an operational grant of ₹4 lakh a year for three years. The scheme is run by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority under the Department of Disaster Management.

Incentive Policy for Setting Up Community Radio Stations - Introduction

Incentive Policy for Setting Up Community Radio Stations encourages the growth of local communication networks across the state. It helps organizations set up and manage community radio stations, with a focus on remote regions and areas often hit by natural disasters, so that people in these places stay aware and safe.

The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, under the Department of Disaster Management, runs this scheme. Its main aim is to improve disaster preparedness by making sure isolated areas have reliable local communication tools.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme offers strong money support to bring local voices to the airwaves:

For instance, if a local NGO sets up a new station with an investment of ₹18 lakh, it will receive the full ₹18 lakh as a grant under this policy.

Eligibility

Officials give top priority to locations that currently have no coverage from existing community radio stations, especially those prone to disasters or those in difficult, remote terrains. To apply, an organization needs to meet these conditions:

• The organization should have at least three years of active experience within the state of Uttarakhand.
• This scheme only supports the establishment of new community radio centers, not existing ones.
• The organization should hold a valid and current license from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, to operate a radio center.

Application Process

To begin, watch for official advertisements released by the State Disaster Management Authority calling for project proposals. Once ready, follow these steps:

STEP 1 - Prepare the full application package with all required documents, including the legal registration papers and the radio operation license from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

STEP 2 - Submit the proposal directly to the office of the Secretary, State Disaster Management Authority.

STEP 3 - Upon approval, the authority will release 50% of the funds as the initial installment.

STEP 4 - Submit the use certificate to receive the remaining 50% of the funds.

Applications remain open throughout the financial year.

Documents

Organizations should submit all required documents as per the rules of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority. Make sure all legal registration papers and the radio operation license from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are included with the submission to avoid delays.

References

Community Radio Policy (PDF)

FAQ's

Who can apply for this scheme?

Any organization with at least three years of experience operating in Uttarakhand that holds a valid community radio license from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting can apply.

What is the maximum financial support available under this scheme?

An organization can get a grant of up to ₹20 lakh or the actual establishment cost of the station, whichever amount is lower.

Is there any additional financial support for operating the radio station?

Yes. After setup, an organization will receive an operational grant of ₹4 lakh annually for a duration of three years.

In which areas will priority be given for setting up community radio stations?

The authorities give top priority to disaster-prone, remote, and uncovered regions where no community radio services are currently available.

How can an organization apply for this scheme?

An organization should submit its application along with all relevant documents to the office of the Secretary, State Disaster Management Authority, Government of Uttarakhand.

When can applications be submitted?

Applications can be submitted at any time during the financial year.

How are applications invited under this scheme?

The State Disaster Management Authority regularly publishes advertisements inviting proposals from interested and eligible organizations.