Question : EXPANSION OF BROADCASTING SERVICES

(a) whether the targets set for expanding broadcasting services during the 11th Five Year plan have been achieved;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor alongwith the constraints being faced in achieving the said targets;

(c) whether the Government is evolving a new policy for expansion and strengthening broadcasting services in the country during the 12th Five Year Plan;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the targets set in this regard; and

(e) the details of the areas in the country deprived of broadcasting services and the steps taken to bring them under the broadcasting network of the country?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (DR. S. JAGATRAKSHAKAN)

(a) & (b): As informed by Prasar Bharati, the 11th Plan schemes of Doordarshan are at different stages of implementation and are expected to be completed in phases by 2013. No constraint is presently being faced in implementation of the above schemes. The details of Doordarshan schemes are given at Annexure-I.

As regards All India Radio, 11th Plan New Schemes are being implemented as per the timelines drawn. Due to delay in allocation of sites by concerned State Governments in some cases and litigation in procurement proposal of 42 Nos. of 10 kW FM Transmitters, there is some delay in completion of such projects. The details of AIR schemes are placed at Annexure-II.

(c) & (d) Proposals for 12th Plan have not yet been formulated.

(e) At present there are 1415 TV Transmitters in Doordarshan network. These transmitters provide coverage to about 92% population of the country spread over about 81% area. The areas uncovered by the terrestrial transmitters alongwith rest of the country, have been provided with multi-channel TV coverage through Doordarshan’s free-to-air DTH service “DD Direct Plus”, signals of which can be received anywhere in the country with the help of small sized dish receive units.

As regards All India Radio, at present programmes broadcast by them on terrestrial network are not available in 8.15 % area of the country. In this area, 21 Radio Channels (Programmes) of AIR are available through Doordarshan’s Direct Plus DTH platform (Ku-band). These programmes can be received through a set top box. The uncovered areas are mostly thinly populated, high altitude hilly and desert areas comprising some border areas of the States of J&K, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and North-Eastern States. However, AIR programmes through terrestrial transmission in some of the uncovered areas will be available after completion of the schemes approved in the 11th Plan.