Lok Sabha Question No. 1071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-08
Subject: Modernisation/Upgradation of Akashvani/DD Kendras
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA, ANUPAM HAZRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1071

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2018)

## MODERNISATION/UPGRADATION OF AKASHVANI/DD KENDRAS

## 1071.  SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA: DR. ANUPAM HAZRA:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  infrastructural  upgradation  and  modernisation  of  Akashvani  and Doordarshan Kendras is being made to keep pace with the increasing needs of digitalization;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, Doordarshan Kendras and AIR Station-wise;
- (c) the funds allocated and utilized for this purpose during the last three years and the current year, Doordarshan Kendras and AIR Station-wise; and
- (d) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the functional quality of programmes being broadcast on Akashvani/Doordarshan?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a) & (b)  Yes Madam. Prasar Bharati has informed that for both All India Radio and Doordarshan,  modernisation/infrastructure  upgradation  is  a  continuous  process  to keep  pace  with  the  technological  advancement.  Modernisation/  Upgradation  plan covers a broad spectrum, which, inter alia, includes digitalization; adoption of new technologies at par with International standards; replacement of old ageing equipments and their upgradation etc.

Details of such activities are reported in the Annual Reports of Prasar Bharati and that of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. These reports are also available on  the  website  of  Prasar  Bharati  at  www.prasarbharati . gov.in  and  Ministry  of Information and Broadcasting at www.mib.gov.in.

- (c) As  per  details  provided  by  Prasar  Bharati,  funds  allocated  and  utilized  for modernisation /upgradation of both Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras during the last three years and the current year are as under:

| Year            | Fund allocated (Rs. in crore)   | Fund utilized (Rs. in crore)   |
|-----------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| All India Radio | Revised Estimate (RE)           |                                |
| 2014-15         | 190.00                          | 210.68                         |
| 2015-16         | 207.60                          | 143.32                         |
| 2016-17         | 177.00                          | 164.52                         |
| 2017-18         | 115.00                          | 67.16 (Up to Dec. 2017)        |
| Doordarshan     |                                 |                                |
| 2014-15         | 191.00                          | 187.08                         |
| 2015-16         | 189.92                          | 74.13                          |
| 2016-17         | 170.00                          | 162.79                         |
| 2017-18         | 101.65                          | 22.05 (Up to Dec. 2017)        |

Funds  are  released  based  on  progress  of  various  projects  and  requirements received from field units. Allocation of funds is made scheme wise and not Kendra wise.

- (d) The  content  on  AIR  is  designed  to  make  radio  a  means  of  interactive communication in a composite society. The longish formats have been replaced by utility  messaging  system,  dissemination  of  themes  through  jingle,  short-duration musical items, live phone-in-programmes, radio bridges, chat shows etc. The content related  with  socio-economic  realities  of  the  service  area  is  disseminated  through terrestrial, satellite and internet modes.

For Doordarshan also, improving and enhancing the quality of programmes for better reach  and  viewership  is  a  continuous  process.  Many  Doordarshan  channels  have seen an increase in viewership due to various initiatives taken by Doordarshan.

Packaging of the shows and promos has been improved to give a distinct look and feel  to  DD  Channels. Wide publicity of programmes is  undertaken through various channels of Doordarshan and social media through Youtube/Twitter/ Facebook.

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