New Delhi: Community Radio Stations (CRSs) in India play a critical role in serving local communities, particularly during natural disasters and emergencies. According to the Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations, these stations are established primarily to address the needs of residents within their service areas.
Under these guidelines, the Government reserves the power to direct CRSs to broadcast emergency messages during public interest situations, natural calamities, or disaster contingencies, which stations are obligated to follow. Additionally, CRSs are permitted to broadcast local administrative announcements covering health alerts, civic amenities, and disaster warnings in local languages.
Recognizing the effectiveness of Community Radio in disaster-prone coastal and flood-prone regions, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has urged Chief Secretaries and Disaster Management Secretaries of States and Union Territories to leverage CRSs for timely information dissemination. Local administrations have also been encouraged to identify and promote the establishment of new stations in vulnerable regions.
To reinforce this initiative, the Government supports Community Radio Stations through the Central Sector Scheme “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India,” approved for continuation from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a financial allocation of ₹50 crore. The scheme provides financial assistance for setting up and upgrading station equipment, including emergency power back-up systems such as solar power, generator sets, and UPS units to ensure uninterrupted broadcasting during crises. Operational stations impacted by severe natural events like floods, earthquakes, or lightning can also receive an Emergency Grant of ₹11.50 lakh.
This details were shared by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, in a written response to a query raised by Members of Parliament Shri Kanad Purkayastha, Shri Manan Kumar Mishra, Smt. Seema Dwivedi, Shri Shambhu Sharan Patel, and Smt. Sadhna Singh in the Rajya Sabha.