Parliament Question: Community Radio Stations in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1678 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2026) COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS IN TAMIL NADU

1678. SHRI MANI A:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has undertaken an assessment of the status and outreach of Community Radio Stations in Tamil Nadu during the last three years;

(b) the details of Community Radio Stations currently operational in Tamil Nadu, district- wise, along with the institutions operating them and the communities covered;

(c) whether any Community Radio Station is currently operational in Dharmapuri district;

(d) if so, the details of its coverage, programmes and beneficiaries and if not, whether the Government proposes to establish one in the district;

(e) the details of the financial assistance, capacity-building support and policy incentives

provided for setting up and strengthening Community Radio Stations in Tamil Nadu; and

(f) the measures being taken by the Government to expand the reach of Community Radio Stations in underserved districts including Dharmapuri, for dissemination of information on education, agriculture, health, disaster management and Government welfare programmes?ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (f):

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has undertaken an assessment of the status and outreach of Community Radio Stations (CRSs) through a nationwide study on "Listenership, Reach, Effectiveness and Financial Sustainability of Community Radio Stations in India,". The study evaluates the reach, listenership, effectiveness and financial sustainability of CRSs across the country, including those operating in Tamil Nadu. The Study Report is available on Ministry’s website at https://mib.gov.in/.

The updated details of all operational Community Radio Stations including one in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu are available on Ministry’s website at https://mib.gov.in/.

The Government has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen the Community Radio sector across the country, including in Tamil Nadu. It has extended the Central Sector Scheme, "Supporting Community Radio Movement in India," with an outlay of ₹50 crore for a further period of five years (2026–2031). The Scheme provides financial assistance for the establishment of Community Radio Stations, procurement and replacement of equipment, installation of solar power systems, and content generation.

During the last three years, financial assistance to 06 CRSs in Tamil Nadu, amounting to Rs.

52,58,322/- has been disbursed including Rs. 10,00,000/- to one CRS in Dharmapuri.

The Government also supports sectoral development through the organization of Community Radio Awareness Workshops, Capacity Building Workshops, and Community Radio Sammelans, which promote awareness, enhance operational capacities, and contribute to the overall growth of the Community Radio sector.

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