(a) whether the operational costs of the Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) is
constantly increasing while its revenue has not recorded any significant growth;
(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year,
DD/AIR-wise; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bail out DD/AIR from the financial
crisis?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(SHRI MANISH TEWARI)
(a) & (b) Prasar Bharati has informed that the operational cost of All India Radio (AIR)
and Doordarshan (DD) is generally impacted by various factors such as hike in Salary,
widening of travel entitlement, Leave encashment with LTC, MACP (Modified Assured Career
Progression) etc. in the wake of implementation of recommendations of the 6th CPC (Central
Pay Commission). The increase is also attributable to the overall price escalation in the
consumer market. Further, Prasar Bharati being a public service broadcaster cannot be
guided solely by Commercial motives. However, it has witnessed a gradual growth of revenue
over the years.
The details of Operational cost and Revenue generated by AIR/DD during the last three years
and the current year are as under:
(i) Operating Cost: (Rs. in Crores)
2009-10 2010-11 (Provisional)
DD AIR Total DD AIR Total
1561.00 1388.40 2949.40 1471.33 1273.71 2745.04
2011-12 (Provisional) 2012-13 upto Jan. 2013 (Provisional)
DD AIR Total DD AIR Total
1913.39 1427.18 3340.57 1443.88 1198.88 2642.76
(ii) Revenue: (Rs. in crore)
Year Commercial Other Income Total
DD AIR
2009-10 830.37 201.13 144.76 1176.26
2010-11 (Provisional) 944.44 257.39 104.17 1306.00
2011-12 (Provisional) 990.76 293.90 124.88 1409.54
2012-13 upto 864.93 227.15 103.17 1195.25 January,2013 (Provisional)
(c) Section 17 of the Prasar Bharati Act provides that Government would make available financial support to Prasar Bharati for the purpose of enabling the Corporation to discharge its functions efficiently under the Act.
Government have recently approved a financial restructuring package for Prasar Bharati with the following elements:-
# To meet 100% expenses towards Salary and Salary related establishment expenses during the next five years from 2012-13 to 2016-17 while all other items of operating expenses are to be borne by Prasar Bharati from out of its internal resources.
# Converted the Capital Loans provided to Prasar Bharati into Grants-in-aid only.
# Plan Capital support in future to be provided by the Government in the form of Grants-in-Aid.
# Waive accumulated interests on the loan-in perpetuity amounting to Rs. 2980.66 crore.
# Waive accumulated interests on Capital loans and penal interest thereon amounting to Rs. 1102.22 crore.
# Waive the accumulated arrears of space segment and spectrum charges of Prasar Bharati upto 31.3.2011 (of Rs. 1349.54 crore).
Prasar Bharati is also adopting aggressive marketing strategies to increase the revenue receipts besides putting into the best use its spare infrastructure available with the field formations across the country