(a) the details of schemes implemented for modernization of the Information and Broadcasting sector between 2014 and August, 2018;
(b) whether digital machines compliant with international standards have been made available for carrying out modernisation of Doordarshan Kendras; and
(c) if so, the countries from which such machines were imported and the details of the benefits accrued to the Information and Broadcasting sector as a result thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (c) The statement is laid on the table of the house.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *488 FOR ANSWER ON 26.07.2019 REGARDING SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED FOR I&B SECTOR
(a) The Central Sector schemes implemented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for modernization of Information and Broadcasting Sector between 2014 and August, 2018 are given below.
I. Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development (BIND) under Broadcasting Sector: The expenditure from FY 2014-15 to FY 2018-19 was Rs. 1812.70 crores. The allocation of the scheme Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development (BE 2019-20) is Rs. 473 crores.
The objectives of the scheme are to create, modernize and augment Broadcasting Infrastructure of All India Radio and Doordarshan. It includes mast strengthening, FM expansion and replacement, modernization and digitalization of studios. Thrust areas focus on high definition upgradation of television studio centres, including DD News, located at New Delhi, expansion of DTH through replacement and modernization of existing equipment and also distribution of DYH receive units for reception of Doordarshan DTH signal. Other areas are expansion of TV channels by upgrading three capital television centres to 24x7 TV channels and also Kisan and Arun Prabha channels, modernization and augmentation of satellite broadcast equipment and transmitters (including digitization), construction of guest house and completion of balance work for completion of TV tower at Amritsar and other areas.
Various projects implemented in Doordarshan as part of 12th Plan schemes of Modernization of the Studios, Transmitters & Satellite Broadcast equipment between 2014 and August, 2018 include the following:
a. Digitalization of Transmitters and Studios in Doordarshan Network.
b. High Definition Television (HDTV).
c. Modernization, Augmentation and Replacement of Transmitter & Studio equipment.
d. Modernization, Augmentation and Replacement of Satellite Broadcast equipment.
e. Up gradation of DTH Platform.
Details of major projects implemented between 2014 and August 2018, for Modernization of Doordarshan, are given at the Annexure-I.
Various projects implemented in All India Radio as part of 12th Plan under following schemes of Modernization of the Studios, Transmitters & Satellite Broadcast equipment between 2014 and August, 2018 are given in Annexure-II.
II. Infrastructure Development Programme relating to Film Sector: The expenditure from 2014-15 to 2018-19 was Rs 284.20 crores. The allocation of the scheme Infrastructure Development Programme relating to Film Sector (BE 2019-20) is Rs. 52.54 crores.
The objectives of the Scheme are to upgrade existing infrastructure and to create additional infrastructure for the following film media units :
a. Upgradation, modernization and expansion of Central Board of Film Certification(CBFC) and certification process
b. Upgradation of Siri Fort Complex
c. Upgradation of building infrastructure of Films Division
d. Upgradation of Infrastructure and Creation of state of the art Regional Film Archives
e. Upgradation and modernization of FTII
f. Infrastructure development of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI)
III. Media Infrastructure and Development Programme (MIDP) under Information Sector: The expenditure from 2014-15 to 2018-19 was Rs 109.62 crores. The allocation of MIDP scheme (BE 2019-20) is Rs. 30.50 crores.
The objectives of the scheme are to improve and augment the infrastructure support to the media units i.e. PIB, DAVP, DFP, Publication Division, Photo Division and RNI covered under this scheme in the form of machinery, equipment and infrastructure to enable them to perform at competitive levels in the media sector in the country.
(b) & (c) A number of state-of-the-art digital equipment have been procured by Doordarshan by inviting global tenders through the process of e-tendering. Major digital equipment has been procured from USA,UK, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Israel, Belgium, Singapore, Australia and Indian bidders between 2014 and August, 2018.
With the induction of digital equipment, technical quality of Programme production & post production has improved. Replacement of old equipment have enhanced system reliability & performance. Digital transmission systems are spectrum efficient and hence increased the channel capacity in Satellite and terrestrial mode. Digital terrestrial transmission has enabled relay of multiple TV channels from a single transmitter for fixed/ portable receive devices.