Lok Sabha Question No. 105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-21
Subject: Broadcasting Regulatory Authority
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 105

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.06.2019)

## BROADCASTING REGULATORY AUTHORITY

## 105  SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN :

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

- (a)        whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  set  up  broadcasting  regulatory authority to meet the requirements of modern society, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to modernize and change the functioning of Doordarshan and All India Radio as to compete with the private channels and radio, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    the  details  of  structural  and  functional  changes  made  in  Doordarshan  and  All India Radio during the last five years;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce new programmes in the regional Doordarshan Kendras, if so the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether the Government proposes to appoint experts in production in regional Kendras  as  Station  Directors  and  Head  of  Programmes,  if  so,  the  details  of  the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  is  functioning  as  Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting services in India.
- (b) &(c) Modernization which includes augmentation and replacement of transmitters, Satellite Broadcast equipments, Modernization and Digitalization of  Studios,  Expansion  of  DTH,  High  Definition  (HD)  TV,  expansion  of  TV channels  etc.  is  a  continuous  process  and  schemes  in  this  regard  are formulated and implemented from time to time. Modernization plan covers a

broad  spectrum,  which,  inter  alia,  includes  digitalization;  adoption  of  new technologies at par with International standards; replacement of old/ outlived equipment and upgradation etc.

AlI India Radio (AIR) set-up has been modernized with the installation of 38 High  Power  DRM  (Digital  Radio  Mondiale)  Transmitters  in  different  parts  of the  country.  The  Studio  Transmitter  Link  is  upgraded  to  digital  almost  at  all locations.    98  digital,  multi-channel  studio  consoles  have  been  installed  and the digitizations of archives have been accomplished.

(d)  As the Public Service Broadcaster, Doordarshan's programming is focused on issues of public interest viz. health, education, empowerment, social justice etc.,  Doordarshan is striving to provide impactful and compelling programmes to  become  the  preferred  channel  of  choice  of  people.    It  is  the  constant endeavour  of    Doordarshan    to  modernize  its  Infrastructure  and  improve  the quality of programmes.  Doordarshan has introduced a number of programmes in  various  genres  and  formats  like  travelogue,  documentaries,  Short  Films, health shows, live-phone-in programmes etc. on its network.

(e) Services of experts are taken by Doordarshan as per requirement from time to time. The senior most officer of a Kendra is designated as Head of the Office and Senior most Programme Officer as  Head of  the Programme.

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