Mumbai: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has signed a Grant of Permission Agreement for establishing, maintaining and operating a Community Radio Station (CRS) with the Sharanbasaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha, a Gulbarga base NGO.

A Letter of Intent had been issued to the organisation on 8 May, 2008 after screening by a Screening Committee and after seeking requisite clearances from various ministries. The community radio station is expected to be operational at within three now months as per the agreement. With this, the number of CRS will increase to 39 in the country.

The ministry encourages setting up the community radio station as it promises to provide an opportunity to the local communities to express themselves, share their views and particularly empower the women, youth and marginalized groups to take part in local self governance and overall socio-economic and cultural development of the area.

It will also better inform the society about the developmental initiatives of Government and promote transparency in the implementation of the schemes.

Sharanbasaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha, Gulbarga is a "not for profit" organization and has service oriented patronage for the welfare of all sections of the society, education of the youth more particularly of girls, uplift of women and much more.

The Community Radio Station being established in Gulbarga will serve the communities in the region, particularly girls, women, farmers and students and empower them.