Lok Sabha Question No. 2281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Broadcasting in Urdu Language
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2281

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2022)

## BROADCASTING IN URDU LANGUAGE

## 2281. KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

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

- (a) the  number  of  bulletins  being  broadcasted  on  Doordarshan (DD) in Urdu language;
- (b) whether  Prasar  Bharati  has  reduced  the  number  of  daily news  bulletins  broadcast  in  urdu  language  on  DD  Urdu ignoring the Urdu language;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor;
- the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  resume  Urdu services  and  to  promote  and  develop  the  Urdu  languages;
- (d) and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) Prasar Bharati broadcasts two news bulletins of half-an hour duration  on  'DD  Urdu'  channel.    In  addition,  Urdu bulletins  of various  durations  are  also  telecast  on  daily  basis  on  regional channels,  namely,  DD  Kashir,  DD  Bihar,  DD  Bangla,  DD  Uttar Pradesh,  DD  Madhya  Pradesh  and  DD  Yadagiri  originating  from Srinagar, Patna, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal and Hyderabad respectively. The details of such bulletins are as under:-

| Name of the channel   |   Number of Urdu Bulletins |
|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| DD Urdu               |                         02 |
| DD Kashir             |                         07 |
| DD Bihar              |                         03 |
| DD Bangla             |                         01 |
| DD UP                 |                         01 |
| DD MP                 |                         01 |
| DD Yadagiri           |                         04 |

(b) & (c): In the wake of the Corona pandemic, live programming across DD Channels was rationalised to maintain social distancing, including reduction in Urdu bulletins telecast on 'DD

Urdu'. However, this channel is carrying Urdu content round the clock. (d)  &  (e):  Prasar  Bharati  is  operating  'DD  Urdu'  satellite  TV channels on 24X7  basis dedicated for the Urdu language programmes.   'DD  Urdu'  channel  was  launched  on  15 th   August 2006 to preserve and promote the great cultural heritage of Urdu language in India.  It provides its viewers with profound content in Urdu language. In  addition,  various  other  DD  channels,  namely,  DD  Kashir,  DD Punjabi, DD Bangla, DD Chandana, DD Urdu, DD Bihar, DD Madhya Pradesh,  DD  Uttar  Pradesh,  DD  Yadagiri,   DD  Haryana  also telecast programmes in Urdu language. Further, Prasar Bharati also broadcasts News in Urdu originated by News Services Division and Regional News Units, from 32 AIR Channels for a total duration of more than 15 hours every day. In addition, other Urdu Programmes are also broadcast on 47 AIR channels for a total duration of 22 hrs of daily programs, 27 hrs of programs  that  air  on  weekly  basis,  and  7  hrs  of  programmes, which air on monthly basis. In addition, All India Radio also broadcasts Urdu programmes for a duration of 9 hours 30 minutes daily on its AIR Neighbourhood Service-I from 0930 hrs to 1315 hrs, from 1500 hrs to 1700 hrs and from  2115-0100  hrs  for  the  interest  of international listeners.

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