RTI reveals that the Mumbai University's community radio has been non-operational for over a year; neither does it come back on nor do they stop spending on it
The community radio FM broadcast could be tuned into at the Mumbai University's Kalina Campus
If you are a student at the Mumbai University, remember tuning into 107.8 FM and listening to the community radio?
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Neither does anyone else, because despite spending Rs 23 lakh on establishing the radio service in 2008 and incurring a yearly expense of R12 lakh since, it has been non-functional for over a year now. This was exposed by RTI activist Anil Galgali, who once again questioned the varsity's funding policies.
The station was started as a platform for students to showcase their talents and was run for the students, by the students and on policies made by students. The shows broadcase focused on educational and extra-curricular programmes that could be tuned into when on the varsity's Kalina campus.
Where's the money?
However, on being questioned about why it has not been operational in a year, Galgali was told that a new transmitter is required and that the varsity was in the process of acquiring it.
"I am given to understand that the old transmitter, which was in use since the inception of this initiative, needs to be replaced and appropriate procedure is being followed to do so. However, the varsity has still asked for some time to furnish details about what the expenditure was this year considering it was non-operational. When the service is not there, where is the money going?" said Galgali.
Varsity says
When contacted Dr MA Khan, Registrar of the Mumbai University, said, "Mumbai University is not in the profit-making business. It is here to impart knowledge and education. In this work, several services are offered for students' education as well as personality development. A radio station is one such service, which is run by students for students, and we will continue the practice. It might have been halted due to some technical issue or staff crunch, considering the varsity has recently discontinued services of some staff members, but we will soon ensure that essential technical staff is appointed immediately to make it functional again."
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