NEW DELHI: Only two community radio stations are currently functioning in border areas – one in Jammu and the other in Kutch.

According to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B), the two Community Radio Stations (CRS) functioning in Border areas are the Radio Sharda by the non-government organisation Pir Panchal, Jammu, in Jammu and Kashmir; and Saiyere Jo Radio by NGO Saiyere Jo Sanghathan, in Village-Bhimsar of Kutch in Gujarat.

Emphasising the ministry had been encouraging enhancement of reach of CRS in all regions/districts of the country, sources said awareness workshops are being organised by the ministry to sensitise people about the CRS policy and create awareness amongst aspiring applicants about issues relating to setting up, operation and maintenance of Community Radios.

Eligible organisations from any region/part of the country, including border areas, can apply for permission to set up CRS.

Permission to set up Community Radio Stations (CRS) is granted under the policy guidelines for setting up of community radio stations in India. These guidelines are available at Ministry's website.