e:
(a) whether there is any proposal to make available multi-channels of
Doordarshan to all the people in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State -wise;
(c) whether there is a proposal to make available DD-2 and other channels
of regional service programme without appropriate Dish Antenna System so
that common man can enjoy all the Doordarshan Channels;
(d) if so, the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this
regard; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 322 FOR 13/03/2003
(a & (b) : In satellite mode, programme of all the 25 channels of
Doordarshan are available through out the country and these can be
received anywhere with the help of appropriate dish antenna system or
through cable TV networks. Two channels viz. DD1 and DD2 are
transmitted in terrestrial mode also and are available to about 89.8% and
40.3% population, respectively
(c) to (e) : In terrestrial mode, DD2 coverage is presently available to
about 40.3% population of the country and is expected to increase to about
49.3 with the implementation of the on going schemes. However, there is no
scheme to set up terrestrial transmitters for relay of regional channels which
have a window of about five and half (5 1/2 hours of terrestrial cover on
DD-1. Tenth Plan proposals of Doordarshan inter-alia, include schemes for
provision of TV coverage to uncovered areas with multi channel bouquet in
free to air mode, through cable and satellite distribution system and other
alternative technologies.