Community Radio targeted to operate from early 2022 in Ladakh

Leh, June, 16: Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula chaired a meeting to review the implementation strategy for setting up a Community Radio Network in UT Ladakh.
Issues regarding policy guidelines for community radio, eligibility criteria, technical parameters, site selection, proposed network for community radio, tentative project timeline, requirement from the administration, proposed set up for community radio estimated budget were discussed in the meeting. A detailed presentation was given by BECIL on Community Radio implementation strategy.
It was informed that to cater maximum area of Union territory of Ladakh, a network of transmission sites will be activated. It was further informed that the Community Radio Network will transmit to the whole of Ladakh and will be utilized largely in the field of education & disaster management. There will be one central studio and 48 transmission locations with priority to transmit signal to the un-connected areas of Ladakh.
The Education Department will be the licensee and will have various licensee schools across Ladakh from where transmissions will happen.
The project is being implemented by the Information Technology Department, Ladakh.
Advisor directed the IT Department to also have a robust maintenance contract in place for ensuring regular maintenance and upkeep of the network for the coming five years.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu; Secretary, Information Technology, Saugat Biswas; Secretary, Higher Education, Padma Angmo; Director, Account & Treasury, Ladakh Amit Singh Chandel and Deputy Secretary, IT Department, Ladakh, Rigzin Spalgon.