Lok Sabha Question No. 366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Public Service Broadcasting
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 366 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024)

## PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING

366. DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  recognizes  the  importance  of  public service broadcasting for disaster preparedness, corruption control, disease awareness, etc;
- (b) if so, the details of measures taken to enhance the functioning of public service broadcasting in these areas;
- (c) the details of measures initiated by the Government during 2022-24 to support and improve the functioning of Prasar Bharti;
- (d)  whether the Government is planning to bring more public service broadcasters into the industry; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  of  funding  support  or  incentives  given  for establishing more public service broadcasters during 2023-24 and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  &  (b):  Prasar  Bharati,  as  per  its  mandate  of  a  Public  Service Broadcaster, recognizes the importance of addressing critical issues such as disaster preparedness, corruption control, disease awareness, etc.  Special programmes and news stories are telecast/broadcast  by Prasar  Bharati  to  highlight  these  critical  issues  and  create  public awareness.

Prasar Bharati broadcast/telecast programmes on Disaster Management incorporating the suggestions/inputs given by the National  Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA)  from  time  to  time, provides regular coverage to initiatives and events related to corruption control and transparency and organizes programmes related to health awareness.

Doordarshan Network channels and Radio stations also regularly invite professionals/experts  for  making  people  aware  about  diseases  and their  prevention  mechanism,  disaster  preparedness  and  corruption control.

Some  of  the  health  related  and  disaster  preparedness  programs broadcast/telecast  are  Total  Health,  Wellness  Watch  and  Apdaa  Ka Samna.

Other initiatives like Swacch Bharat for health and hygiene, national campaigns  like  Beti  Bachao  Beti  Padhao,  etc.  are  also  actively covered, underlining the broadcaster's commitment to social issues. (c): The Ministry provides support to Prasar Bharati under 'Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development' (BIND) scheme  for  expenses  related  to  expansion  and  upgradation  of  its broadcasting  infrastructure,  content  development  and  civil  works related to the organization. Some of the major components of the BIND scheme are upgradation of Public Service Broadcasting infrastructure, expansion of DD Free Dish Platform, expansion of reach of Public Service Broadcasting, facelift of Doordarshan and Akashvani channels, modernization  and digitization of Studios, etc. (d): No, Sir. (e): Does not arise.

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