MAM
Govt. mulling four-fold increase in ad rates for CRS
NEW DELHI: The Government is considering raising advertisement rates of the Department of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) from Re 1 per second to Rs 4 per second for community radio stations (CRS). The CRS stations had demanded a rate of Rs 7 per second.
The government is also learnt to be working on a dedicated fund for development of CRS with a Rs 1.70 billion corpus to provide seed money to community radio stations during the 12th Plan period. Another proposal being worked out is using funds from the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).
The Government wants the CRS to devote a large part of their programming to making the people aware of the flagship programmes, and ensure participatory communication.
The Centre is prepared to give help to the CRS to achieve this, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said in an interview over All India Radio.
Soni said the total number of CRS that stood at around 30 two years back had gone up to 135. And 240 more CRS are in the pipeline for clearances from various departments, she added.
The Minister said radio was the best way to reach out to the target group of people enabling them to avail the benefits of the massive development schemes being implemented by the government.
Soni emphasised that all efforts should be made for knowledge about the massive Government development programmes benefiting the rural people, the farmers and the poor and under privileged should percolate to the grass root level.
The minister said suggestions from the Open House forum of a three-day workshop being held in New Delhi on Community Radio led by I&B Joint Secretary Supriya Sahu will be utilised to fine tune radio communication to meet the requirements of the local people.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
