Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Col Rajyavardhan Rathore has said, his ministry has taken decisions to increase grants for Community radio stations especially for North-East, to increase grants from 75 per cent to 90 per cent, with upper cap of 7.5 lakh rupees. <br/><br/>Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, Col. Rathore said, long duration advertisements for sustenance of the model has also been allowed. He said, even NGOs can be given licences. The Minister told the House that as of now there are 206 community radio stations and the letter of intent has been issued to 564 applicants, it is for non profit purposes. <br/><br/>He said government has taken various steps towards the expansion of community radio sector and grant of permissions to set up community radio stations is a continuous process.<br/><br/>