I&B Ministry
I&B min seeks ideas on FM phase II implementation
MUMBAI: The Radio Broadcast Policy committee, set up by the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) to formulate policy to govern the opening up of phase II of FM broadcast in the country, has invited suggestions on the same.
In an advertisement issued in leading dailies this morning, the committee has asked for suggestions or comments regarding the modalities and procedural issues pertaining to the implementation of the second phase of private FM participation.
The committee, set up by the I&B ministry has to submit its report by 30 September. The terms of reference of the panel, inter alia, will determine a transparent and effective bidding/ auction process to be adopted for allotment of frequencies; assessment of a viable license fee structure for various cities; and suggestions regarding extent of foreign equity participation to make the business more viable.
The current crop of players in the private FM arena have expressed their bitterness at the licencing system and are pressing for a business-friendly revenue sharing model. While the government has resisted the change (so far) to a different model, the Radio Broadcast Policy Committee has met the FM players in the city recently to take cognizance of their demands.
The committee has now asked for suggestions to be sent to it within 10 days, in order to consider the same before the 30 September deadline.
Also read:
Govt constitutes a committee for FM second phase
I&B Ministry
MeitY & Reliance Foundation launch e-SafeHER cyber training for Women
Programme aims to train one million rural women in cyber safety over three years
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has partnered with Reliance Foundation and C-DAC Hyderabad to launch ‘e-SafeHER’, a nationwide cyber security awareness programme aimed at empowering one million women across rural India.
Anchored under the Information Security Education and Awareness Programme, the initiative will focus on building digital confidence and safe online practices among women who are increasingly using digital platforms for financial transactions, livelihoods and essential services.
The programme will be rolled out through a community-led model, with training delivered via women’s self-help groups and grassroots networks. C-DAC Hyderabad will develop and localise training content, while Reliance Foundation will drive on-ground implementation using its rural outreach platforms.
Speaking on the launch, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology secretary S Krishnan said, “e-SafeHER is an exciting opportunity to bring together knowledge and collaboration to build a cyber secure Bharat. Through this initiative, women from even the remotest regions will be empowered to participate safely in the digital ecosystem.”
Echoing this, Reliance Foundation director Isha Ambani said the initiative aims to equip women with the skills needed to navigate the online world safely. She added that the goal is to enable one million “Cyber Sakhis” who can confidently adopt digital tools to improve their lives and livelihoods.
The programme will begin with pilot training in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, before scaling nationwide through a phased approach. It will use multilingual content, audio-visual modules and blended learning formats to ensure accessibility and engagement.
Designed for long-term impact, e-SafeHER will be integrated into existing digital literacy and women’s empowerment programmes, avoiding the need for parallel infrastructure. The initiative also aims to drive measurable behavioural change, from improved awareness of cyber risks to safer digital transactions.
By combining policy, technology and grassroots reach, the programme looks to bridge not just the digital divide, but the digital safety gap, ensuring that inclusion goes hand in hand with security.
