MoIB issues 16 new Letter of Intents

While moving a step ahead towards the government’s aim to bring Community Radio Station to each district of India, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s issued 16 LoIs on August 12, 2014.

Odisha, which received five LoIs, was the frontrunner among all the states. Nagaland, which still has to get its first Community Radio station, attracted two LoIs – one for Youthnet, Kohima and the second one for an NGO, Faith Ministry Society of Dimapur.

“Community Radio can provide a systematic way to meet the requirements of communication in the development of rural areas,” said Manish, Secretary, Janmitram, Chattisgarh. He further added that the Community Radio will cater to tribals, farmers and women of around a dozen villages.

“Community Radio will provide a good platform for propagating culture and traditions. It will provide information on jobs and technical updates,” said Lezo Putsure from Youth Net. He also said that ‘Community Radio has great potential and we need to utilize that’.

Maharashtra, which is already home to 15 Community Radio Stations, received four LoIs- three for NGOs and one for an educational institute.

MoIB issued LoIs to:

1) Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
2) Moyna Ramkrisnayan Association, Medinipur, W. Bengal
3) Govt Eklavya Model Res Hr Secondary School, Rajgarh, Chattisgarh
4) Youthnet, Kohima
5) Akola College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Maharashtra
6) Sanjivani Medical Training Centre, Maharashtra
7) Janmitram Kalyan Samiti, Chattisgarh
8) Peace Bird of Capability, Odisha
9) Anchalika Vikas Samiti, Odisha
10) Rural Development and Research Centre, Maharashtra
11) Organization for Social Reconstructive Activities (OSRA), Odisha
12) Kandhamal Zila Sabuja Vaidya Sangathan, Odisha
13) Intelligent Network of Social Progress Integrating , Odisha
14) Faith Ministry Society, Nagaland
15) Gram Jagat, Bihar
16) Doaba College, Punjab

Author: Ruby Rani/ OneWorld