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Out of the applications received, those from Jammu University,
Kashmir University in Srinagar, New Light in Keonjhar and Buldana
Urban Charitable Society of Buldana have not been found eligible
for grant of licence as per the laid down guidelines, information
and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told Rajya Sabha (Upper
House) today.
The minister also ruled out any review of the policy despite limited
response to the community radio scheme, which former I&B minister
Sushma Swaraj had said would "revolutionise" radio broadcast
in the country.
A big impediment is the cumbersome process, over laden with clearance
from over 30 government agencies. This has been a deterring factor.
The largest number of application for licences for community radio
service (six), has been received from the states of Tamil Nadu and
Uttar Pradesh. In U.P. two branches of City Montessori School in
Lucknow have also sought permission to start a radio service.
The least number of applications (one), have been received from
Gujarat (Sardar Patel University), Punjab, Orissa and Nagaland.
New Light of Orissa's application has been found ineligible, anyway.
Though any community radio service was yet get off the ground, India's
pubcaster Doordarshan has given some limited time to non-governmental
organisations on a low powered transmitter for community radio service
in Delhi.
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