MIB renews existing GOPAs of Community Radio Stations

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) earlier this week extended the existing Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) that have expired or shall expire up to 30th June 2020, is renewed for an interim period up to 31st October 2020

The Ministry stated that it recognized that the organizations which operate Community Radio Stations, have their Grant of Permission Agreements expired or expiring in the coming months and who were not able to get their GOPAs renewed due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.

Noting that the Community Radio Stations could play a very important role in the dissemination of information at the grass-roots level, especially in emergencies, the Ministry has extended the GOPAs of such organizations for which it has expired or shall expire upto 30th June 2020, for an interim period upto 31th October 2020 on the same terms and conditions as agreed upon in the last GOPA documents signed with the Ministry.

I&B Ministry further noted that the interim period of renewal would be included in the full term of the renewal period, as and when such requests are processed on regular basis.