The Bihar (India) Government has proposed a community radio project for schools. In this regard, the state government has selected 11 highschools of Patna and Nalanda.
The main aim of project is disseminate information on government and other socially useful schemes, encourage local participation by the community, revival of local and folk art forms, employment of local youth in the community thus discouraging migration, and aid the process of disaster management. The state government has already applied for licence and once the licence is issued, the state government will set up FM broadcasting stations at selected schools that will relay programmes related to local issues, fairs, etc. The core programming will be done in Patna while peripheral programming in districts. The capital cost for setting up one Community Radio Station (CRS), including equipment and installation charges, is INR 0.48 million. The cost of studio, which would be optional, would be INR 0.23 million. The operational cost per CRS, as worked out by the government, is INR 46,965 per month while the expected monthly revenue per CRS is INR 50,400.
