NEW DELHI: Existing community radio operators can take advantage of the revised guidelines for new operators and get their broadcast permission extended to five years from the present three.While the old guidelines provided for permission for only three years, the new one has provisions for five years.

To take advantage of this, existing operators will have to sign a revised Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) with the Information and Broadcasting ministry for which they may apply separately in prescribed format with necessary documents. Only applications complete in all respects will be accepted.

This follows the decision of the Ministry to extend the facilities of the new guidelines of 2006 even to the existing Community Radio Operators.

Under the new guidelines, limited advertising and announcements relating to local events, local businesses and services and employment opportunities shall be allowed.

The maximum duration of such limited advertising will be restricted to five minutes per hour of broadcast. The detailed Guidelines and proforma for application are available on the Ministrys website.

The Government had in December 2006 liberalized the policy on community radio by bringing in ?‹?“non-profit organisations like civil society and voluntary organizations, State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, educational institutions also under its ambit.

This was done with a view to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues of development and social changes.At present 26 stations of educational institutions are using community radio. The Government has so far received 95 applications under the new guidelines and permission has been granted to five organizations.