NEW DELHI: For the first time, a non-governmental organization has launched a community radio station, thanks to the liberalized policy adopted by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

The channel, launched by the Society for Development Alternatives, was operationalised late last week at Taragram, Orchha, in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. The Society is a Delhi based NGO and is the first to establish, maintain and operate a Community Radio under the new policy.

A total of 34 NGOs have so far got the Ministry's permission to set up and operate Community Radio Stations in different parts of the country.

The Society for Development Alternatives, among other things, is engaged in Natural Resource Management in the region through a range of activities involving conversion of wasteland to productive land, water conservation and promotion of appropriate farming practices and livestock management.

Besides, the society is developing partnerships and alliances with banks, research institutes, government departments, panchayats and civil society organizations to ensure convergence of developmental goals in Bundelkhand.

The Central Government in December 2006 had liberalized the Policy on Community Radio by bringing in the civil society and voluntary organizations, agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras etc under its ambit. The policy was liberalized to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues of development and social change. Earlier, only educational institutions were permitted to launch community radio channels.

The Community Radio initiative is aimed at empowering women, youth and marginalized groups to take part in local self-governance and overall socio-economic and cultural development of the area