NEW DELHI: The Department of Telecom has been asked to evolve detailed guidelines by 12 October to bring into force its decision to waive off spectrum fee for community radio services (CRS).

Instructions to this effect have been issued by the Communications & IT Minister Kapil Sibal following requests received from National Advisory Council, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and the Community Radio Association.

Sibal said the Government’s role is to create an enabling environment for CRS, and he wanted guidelines to ensure that the spectrum is optimally used and the channels use these airwaves only to inform and empower the common man.

It was felt that in the interest of inclusive and informed society, it is apt that Government provides the spectrum (airwaves) for CRS at zero cost. Although this may result in an opportunity cost of around Rs 2.5 million to the Government, the cost is far outweighed by the benefit of informed, empowered and inclusive local communities and the nation, it is felt.

The move to waive spectrum and royalty fee on community radio stations has come as a major relief for a sector that was just beginning to find its feet, with just 132 stations operational out of the 370 licenses issued by the Government.

The move would help educational institutes, non-government organisations, small communities and a gram panchayats – many of whom had received licences but had not been able to commence operations in view of the high fee.

Sustainability is the biggest challenge for CRS. Community radio focuses on low cost and low return pattern of operations. Donor funding is crucial for CRS. As most of the donors come from local communities, this financing option is inadequate and irregular for CRS operating in remote areas and for the marginalized sections of the society.

The government had earlier this year said it was planning to raise the spectrum fee for these stations from Rs 19,000 to Rs 93,000. But community radio representatives met Telecom minister Kapil Sibal, and a recommendation came from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry which has been pushing the CRS movement.

Telecom Ministry sources said it was felt that the decision to hike the spectrum fees for community radios by fivefold and to keep on hold allocation of frequencies will have very serious damaging repercussions on the development agenda of the government and will stifle growth of community voices. It will also defeat the agenda of inclusive growth.

The WPC had for last nine months stopped giving clearance to 166 new applicants. A senior official said it was examining whether in wake of Supreme Court’s verdict on 2G, the spectrum fees for community radio was also needed to be auctioned.