Question : TV TRANSMITTERS

(a) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to upgrade transmission from old-dated terrestrial to satellite mode across the country particularly in Dibrugarh and Guwahati;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor along with the steps taken by the Government for upgradation of Doordarshan at Dibrugarh and Guwahati;

(d) whether the low power transmitters in upper Assam are unable to relay programmes of Doordarshan, Dibrugarh and Guwahati; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (c) Prasar Bharati has informed that Doordarshan transmission is carried both on terrestrial and satellite mode and are operated by 22 Nos. of 24 hrs. Satellite channels of Doordarshan. These channels include a North-East Channel which caters to the needs of North East area including Dibrugarh & Guwahati. All these 22 channels are available on Doordarshan’s DTH platform also, signals of which can be received anywhere in the country including Dibrugarh & Guwahati with the help of a small sized dish receive unit.

Prasar Bharati has undertaken following modernization/ upgradation works at Guwahati and Dibrugarh:

1. Modernization of Studio facilities at Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), Guwahati

2. Augmentation of Archiving facility at DDK, Guwahati

3. Full digitalization of Studios at Dibrugarh and Programme Production Centre (PPC) Guwahati

4. Setting up of digital High Power Transmitter (HPT) at Guwahati

5. Replacement of old HPT at Dibrugarh along with installation of new tower.

(d) & (e) DD1 low power transmitters in Assam are linked to DDK, Delhi via satellite for relay of National Channel programmes and to Guwahati for relay of North East Channel programmes during the time slot allotted for the purpose.