Question : EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION CHANNELS

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up uplinking facilities for launching satellite television channels;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of educational television channels in operation in the country;

(d) whether Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has raised objection on launching of these channels and if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Presently there is no such proposal in the Ministry.

(c): Four educational television channels have been running under the aegis of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), a Central University of this Ministry.

(d): No, Madam.

(e): In view of (d) above, question does not arise.