Question : Educational Channels

(a) the number of educational channels like Gyan Darshan and Gyan Vani being run by Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) in the country;

(b) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that Gyan Darshan and Gyan Vani, the educational TV and FM channels are off the air;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the names of private cable operators who have discontinued the telecast of programmes of the above channels;

(d) whether Government proposes to take any action against such operators and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government to start these channels; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to expand Gyan Vani and other educational channels where coverage of these channels are not available, if so, the details thereof State/UT-wise including Jharkhand?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}


(a) to (c) Prasar Bharati has informed that Doordarshan (DD) does not have any educational channel. However, DD telecasts educational programmes provided by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), University Grants Commission (UGC) and Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET) for 30 minutes on DD National.

Presently these programmes are off air as IGNOU does not have the Wireless Planning Coordination (WPC) clearance from Ministry of Communications & IT. Since these channels are at present not being uplinked, they cannot be carried by private cable operators.



All India Radio was operating Gyan Vani Channel of IGNOU through FM transmitters at 37 places in India. Transmission of Gyan Vani was switched off on 30th September, 2014 due to issues related to pending dues to Prasar Bharati/ AIR. The Ministry of I&B has now granted permission to IGNOU to operationalise all the 37 channels for a period of 15 years and the Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) in this regard has been signed between the Ministry and the IGNOU.
Gyan Vani FM services of IGNOU are not required to be carried by private cable operators.

(d) Does not arise.

(e) Ministry of I&B has received a proposal from IGNOU for 13 additional Gyan Vani stations as detailed at Annexure.
*****