AGENDA

National Consultation for review of CR Policy Guidelines

Venue: Magnolia Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi Date: 9th -10th May 2012
Time
09.30 A.M. 10.00 A.M. Registration of participants. Introduction of the objectives and purpose of consultation 10.00 A.M. 11.00 A.M. Presentation on CR Policy 2006 11.00 A.M. to 11.30 A.M. Technical Parameters of CR: As per extant policy CRS is expected to cover a distance of 5-10 Km for which transmitter wattage of 100 W Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is permitted. However, in case of a proven need to serve a larger area or the terrain so warrants, higher transmitter wattage with maximum ERP up to 250 Watts can be considered on a caseto-case basis, subject to necessary clearances from WPC Wing and approval of IMC. The maximum and minimum limits of antenna height from ground level are 30 meters & 15 meters respectively. 11.30 A.M.- 1 P.M. Further, with above-mentioned parameters WPC Wing was so far allowing operation of two adjacent CRS on same frequency with a separation of 100 Km. WPC has now proposed to reduce this distance to 50 Km, 30 Km & 20 Km for rural, semi-urban & urban areas respectively with the request to remove the provision of 250 watt power from guidelines for optimum utilization of frequency spots. Following issues are highlighted for discussion and recommendations : 1. Maximum permissible transmitter power to CRS 2. Permissible power to various categories of CRS namely NGO/Educational/KVK. Should it be similar to all categories or different? 3. Maximum and minimum antenna height above ground level. 1.00 P.M. to 2.00 P.M. Lunch Break Management structure and eligibility As per basic principles of current policy, an applicant organization must have a proven record of at least three years of service to the local community and it should have an ownership and management structure that is reflective of the community that the CRS seeks to serve. 3 years clause is not applicable to Educational institutions. However, it is not really happening at ground level. Also there is a huge difference between permissions issued and operational CRS. Further, one organization can be permitted only one CRS. But, there isconfusion about colleges/universities recognized/set up separately but run by same society or different KVKs functioning under administrative control of one university. Following issues are highlighted for discussion and recommendations : 1. The methodology and guidelines for transfer of CRS to community. Tea Break

Item/Topic

2.00 P.M to 3.30 P.M.

2. How to broad base the ownership & management of applicant organization. 3. Applicability of 3 years experience criteria uniformly to all categories 4. How to prevent non-serious applicants to block frequencies (requirement of minimum funds available etc.). 5. Elaborate the provision of one organization one permission 3.30 P.M. to 4.00 P.M Simplification of License process: Ministry of I & B has taken several pro-active steps to simplify the application and fast track the permission process. It has been seen thatmost of the applicants are still unable to furnish the requisite information in the appropriate format. Particularly, the location of transmitter, Geo-coordinates, height above mean sea level, profile of community to be served and area map etc. are usually not provided by applicants. To get these documents from applicant a lot of time/energy is wasted and permissions are delayed. Following issues are highlighted for discussion and recommendations : 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M 1. Preparatory steps before filling application and at each subsequent stage. 2. Simplification of Application Form to obtain requisite information in one go/detailed column wise instructions to provide information. 3. Guidelines/instructions for furnishing profile of community/profile of organization. 4. Selection of location of Tr./Antenna before application. 5. Procedure to find Geo-Coordinates of selected location, preparation of area map etc. 6. Speedy operationalization of CRS/ fast track clearances for F.A./SACFA and WOL. 7. Other issues pertaining to WPC Wing viz. hike in spectrum fee etc. Contents/Programmes on CRS: Extent guidelines mention thatprogrammeson CRS should be of immediate relevance to the community with emphasis on developmental, agricultural, health, educational, environmental, social welfare, community development and cultural programmes. The programming should reflect the special interests and needs of the local community. News and current affairs programmes are currently not allowed in CRS. At least 50% of content should be generated with the participation of the local community, for which the station has been set up and programmes should preferably be in the local language and dialect(s). Following issues are highlighted for discussion and recommendations : 1. 2. 3. 4. 11.30A.M. to 12.00 A.M. Funding and Sustenance: How to ensure community participation in content development. Mandatory requirement of language/dialects of programme Broadcast. News and current affairs programmes on CR. Minimum requirement of original programmes in daily broadcasts Tea Break Tea Break

10.00 A.M. 11.30 A.M.

12.00 Noon.- 1.30 P.M.

At present, transmission of sponsored programmesis permitted by Central & State Governments and other organisations to broadcast public interest information. Ministry has finalized rates and guidelines for sponsored programmes. In addition, limited advertising and announcements relating to local events, local businesses and

services and employment opportunities are allowedfor 5 (Five) minutes per hour of broadcast. Also, CRS applicants are eligible to seek funding from multilateral aid agencies subject to FCRA clearance. Following issues are highlighted for discussion and recommendations : 1. Funding only from multilateral aid agencies. 2. Guidelines/rates for Sponsored programmes by State & Central Govt. 3. Allow Sponsored programmes by development agencies/organizations committed to broadcast public interest information. 4. Advertisement on CR 5. Ceiling on Advertisement on CR Lunch Break Awareness Generation/capacity building/ Monitoring and Feed Back about operational CRS Guidelines prescribe that the permission holders are required to submit their audited annual accounts to the Government in respect of the organization/division running the CRS clearly showing the income and expenditure incurred and the Assets and Liabilities in respect of the CRS. But, there are no specific formats for that. Also, the Ministry has been organizing awareness workshops across the country since 2007. Training modules/ programmes are also to be designed. Impact studies/listenership surveys are also important or the growth of CRS. Following issues are highlighted for discussion and recommendations : 1. Quarterly report etc. to be furnished by operational CRS. 2. Maintenance of accounts- income and expenditure incurred and the Assets and Liabilities in respect of the CRS. 3. Design of the training programme/workshops 4. Community Audit/impact studies/listenership surveys 3.30 P.M. to 4.00 P.M 4.00 P.M. to 4.30 P.M. Tea Break Draft of the proposed Policy

1.30 P.M. to 2.30 P.M 2.30 P.M to 3.30 P.M