Lok Sabha Question No. 1489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Implementation of Schemes under I&B Sector
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1489 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHEMES UNDER I&B SECTOR

## 1489 SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:

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

a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  total  number  of  schemes  being  implemented  at present  under  the  Information  and  Broadcasting  sector  along  with  the  present  status  of  such

schemes and projects, State-wise especially in Andhra Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is aware of the total amount of funds allocated and utilised for the purposes of such schemes over the last five years in a State-wise manner especially in Andhra

Pradesh;

(d) the details of the communities benefited under the Supporting Community Radio Movement

Scheme over the last five years in a State-wise manner, especially in Andhra Pradesh;

(e)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  introduce  any  new  projects  under  the  existing schemes in Andhra Pradesh; and

- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN):

(a) to (f):  The  Ministry  of Information and  Broadcasting  carried  out  a  comprehensive rationalization  and  restructuring  of  the  Plan  Schemes  in  2019-20  for  effective  and  better utilization  of  resources.  The  Ministry  now  implements  four  Central  Sector  Schemes.  These schemes  of  the  Ministry  aim  at  mass  communication  and  information  dissemination  of  the policies and programmes of the Government as well as ensuring entertainment and education. The benefits of these schemes/programmes/activities uniformly flow to the entire population of the country.

In  Information  Sector,  'Development  Communication  &  Information  Dissemination  (DCID)' Scheme aims at ensuring peoples' participation in various programmes of the Government, for their welfare, promoting national integration and ensuring nation building. This is done through the launch of information, education and communication campaigns using media vehicles like print advertisement, audio-visual publicity, outdoor publicity, distribution of informative brochures/flyers, inter-personal  communication  during  exhibitions and new media vehicles for effective and targeted reach. No State-specific allocation is made under this scheme.

In  the  Film  Sector,  'Development  Communication  &  Dissemination  of  Filmic  Content (DCDFC)'  Scheme  aims  to  promote  Indian  Cinema  through  film  festivals,  film  markets, production  of  films  and  digitization  and  preservation  of  archival  films  through  National  Film Heritage  Mission.  The  scheme  provides  impetus  to  the  audio-visual  services  sector  in  the country. No State-specific allocations are made under the scheme.

In the Broadcasting Sector, 'Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development (BIND)' scheme aims to strengthen broadcasting infrastructure and content of Doordarshan and Akashwani from time to time. This enables the public broadcaster to meet the expenditure requirement towards the augmentation and replacement of transmitters, satellite broadcast equipment and digitization, expansion of TV Channels, FM expansion with special emphasis on strengthening of coverage in sensitive areas, especially those in border and LWE areas.

Under this scheme, funds are released project wise and not State-wise. Projects are undertaken in the States as per the priority of Prasar Bharati with inter-se allocation of funds.

Likewise,  'Supporting  Community  Radio  Movement  in  India'  Scheme  under  Broadcasting Sector aims to strengthen the new and existing Community Radio Stations (CRS) with resources, capacity and technology, thereby increasing number and effectiveness of operational CRS, which are  critically  required  for  the  Community  Radio  Sector.  The  Scheme  provides  financial assistance  in  the  form  of  grants,  to  Community  Radio  Stations  for  building  the  required infrastructure.  Funds  are  provided  for  organizing  Community  Radio  Awareness  workshops, capacity building of radio stations, holding regional sammelans, supporting content creation, etc.

There are 12 Community Radio Stations in the State of Andhra Pradesh at present. Three of such stations are located in Chittoor district, two each in Guntur, Kadappa and West Godavari district and one each in East Godavari, Kurnool and Srikakulam district.

The Ministry has conducted a total of 13 workshops, 2 regional sammelans, 1 national sammelan and 4 National Community Awards have been conferred to various CRSs over the last five years. The  scheme  has  benefitted  the  community  across  India  by  bolstering  the  infrastructure  and capacity building of the people of the community radio sector.

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