| NEW
DELHI: Even as the government has permitted non-governmental organisations to
set up community radio stations (CRS), it is working to clear the list of applicants
in the field of education who have applied for licenses for establishing, maintaining
and operating such stations. The
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, has signed an agreement with the
Information and Broadcasting Ministry for setting up a CRS at Media Technology
Centre in its campus which is expected to be operational within three months.
The
CRS will serve the surrounding populace comprising students, housewives, skilled
and unskilled labourers, petty traders and private and government employees as
well as retired persons. It will disseminate knowledge on health care, agriculture,
science and technology in addition to the literacy programmes for children and
adult. The station will provide a platform for creative and innovative programme
making and run awareness campaigns on social issues. It will also have group discussions
on contemporary topics. Ministry
sources told indiantelevision.com that out of a total of around 140 CRS
proposals at various stages of implementation, a total of around 40 NGOs have
so far got the Ministry’s permission to set up and operate Community Radio
Stations in different parts of the country but the finalisation of details is
at various stages of implementation. | 
