**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer given by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting to the Lok Sabha question 1961 regarding schemes to promote radio broadcasting at the national level, and the impact of these schemes in the Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency. The government supports the "Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)" scheme and the "Supporting Community Radio Movement in India” scheme. The answer was submitted on 11.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The Government of India supports radio broadcasting through the Central Sector Scheme "Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)".
* Rs. 2539.61 crore is the outlay for the BIND scheme for the years 2021-26.
* Under the scheme "Supporting Community Radio Movement in India”, ₹50 crore has been provided for the period 2021–26.
* **Community Radio Stations (CRSs):**
* Financial assistance is provided for setting up, operating, renewing, and replacing CRSs.
* CRSs play a significant role in rural areas by providing a localized, low-cost, and participatory medium of communication.
* **All India Radio (AIR):**
* AIR’s major role is to organize and conduct public broadcasting services to inform, educate and entertain.
* AIR broadcasts programs in 23 languages and 182 dialects.
* AIR operates 591 broadcasting stations across the country.
* Sanctioned under the BIND scheme are 68 FM radio transmitters and the replacement/upgradation of 43 FM radio transmitters.
* **Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha Constituency:**
* Radio broadcasting by AIR in Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency is provided from Akashvani Lucknow and partly from Akashvani FM Station Bareilly.
* Artists from Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency participate in programs of Akashvani Lucknow.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Prasar Bharati and All India Radio (AIR)**
**Impact:**
They receive support for development, modernization, and upgrades to broadcasting infrastructure.
**Action Required:**
Utilize the funds effectively for infrastructure development and expansion of broadcasting services.
**Stakeholder: Community Radio Stations (CRSs)**
**Impact:**
CRSs will receive financial assistance for setup, operation, renewal, and replacement.
**Action Required:**
Adhere to guidelines for financial assistance and maintain effective operation to serve local communities.
**Stakeholder: Citizens in Rural Areas**
**Impact:**
Increased access to localized and participatory media in local languages and dialects.
**Action Required:**
Actively engage with local CRSs to share information and participate in community programs.
**Stakeholder: Citizens in Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha Constituency**
**Impact:**
Access to radio broadcasts via Akashvani Lucknow and Akashvani FM Station Bareilly.
**Action Required:**
Tune in to available stations and participate in programming opportunities through Akashvani Lucknow.
Key Entities Referenced
Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND): A Central Sector Scheme for development, modernization and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure for Prasar Bharati, including All India Radio.
All India Radio (AIR): A public radio broadcaster in India, responsible for organizing and conducting public broadcasting services.
Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency: The geographical area to which the radio broadcasting services and associated scheme impacts are specifically being inquired about.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The government body responsible for answering the question regarding radio broadcasting schemes.
Supporting Community Radio Movement in India: A scheme focused on financial assistance for Community Radio Stations (CRSs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1961
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026)
Schemes to promote Radio Broadcasting at National Level
1961. Shri Arun Kumar Sagar:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
a) the details of the proposed schemes to promote radio broadcasting at the national level;
b) the role of radio in rural areas under these schemes;
c) whether radio stations are operational in Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency;
d) the details of the issues in access to radio broadcasting in Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha
constituency; and
e) the impact of the schemes concerned on information dissemination in Shahjahanpur Lok
Sabha constituency?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)(a) to (e): The Government of India supports through a Central Sector Scheme “Broadcasting
Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)” for development, modernization and
upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure for Prasar Bharati, including that of All India Radio
(AIR). Outlay for this scheme is Rs. 2539.61 crore for the years 2021-26. Further, under the
scheme “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India” an outlay of ₹50 crore has been
provided for the period 2021–26. It is to provide financial assistance for setting up, operation,
renewal and replacement of Community Radio Stations (CRSs).
The major role of AIR is to organize and conduct public broadcasting services to inform, educate
and entertain the public. Akashvani (AIR) broadcasts programmes in 23 languages and in 182
dialects, serving the rural areas in the country. CRSs also play a significant role in rural areas by
providing a localized, low-cost and participatory medium of communication in local languages
and dialects.
AIR operates 591 broadcasting stations across the country. Setting up of 68 FM radio
transmitters and replacement/ upgradation of 43 FM radio transmitters have also been sanctioned
under the BIND scheme.
The radio broadcasting by AIR in Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency is provided from
Akashvani Lucknow and partly from Akashvani FM Station Bareilly. Moreover, the artists from
Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency also participate in programmes of Akashvani Lucknow.
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