(a) whether the Government proposes to strengthen the digital transmitters for broadcast in border areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any action is being taken by cracking down on broadcast of unauthorised channels especially in border areas; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to make contents of AIR broadcasts interesting, entertaining and useful to the listeners?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE(Retd.)}
(a) & (b) Prasar Bharati has informed that as regards Doordarshan (DD), 11 Digital High Power Transmitters(HPTs) have been approved for border areas. List of such HPTs is given at Annexure-I. All India Radio (AIR) has replaced its 19 MW transmitters by new-state-of-the-art digital transmitters (DRM) providing coverage in the border areas. These transmitters are capable of broadcasting in Analogue or Digital or Simulcast mode (combination of both modes). Details of these transmitters are given in Annexure-II.
(c) & (d) Transmission of unpermitted satellite channels is a violation of the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1995 and there are adequate provisions in the Act to curb such activities and take penal as well as punitive action. The Cable Act, 1995 has defined authorized officers who are empowered to take action against any such violations.
It has been AIR’s constant endeavour to make the programmes interesting, entertaining and useful to its listeners. AIR stations located in the border areas put out various programmes to counter the malicious propaganda emanating from the other side. These programmes reflect the socio-economic ethos of the concerned regions, the development activities in border states, special programme informing the people about the confidence building measures undertaken by the Government. While doing so efforts are made to keep in mind the guidelines given from time to time by the concerned agencies of the Government of India.
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