Question : INSTALLATION OF TV TRANSMITTERS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

(a) whether after conducting a survey in Himachal Pradesh, the Ministry has sanctioned setting up of 20 VLPT, LPT and HPT during Ninth Five Year Plan whereas out of it work is in progress only on 10 transmitters and for installation of remaining 10 transmitters converting VLPT into LPT the Director, Information and Public Relations, Himachal Pradesh had requested Director General, Doordarshan, Mandi House in this regard;

(b) if so, the further action taken by the Government with regard thereto alongwith reasons for its pendency till date; and

(c) the places where towers are proposed to be installed in Himachal Pradesh during Tenth Five Year Plan alongwith the numbers thereof and number of towers installed so far?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)

(a) & (b) : Prasar Bharati has informed that all the 22 Transmitters targeted for installation in Himachal Pradesh as part of the 9th Plan have since been commissioned. The request made on behalf of the Government of Himachal Pradesh for upgradation of VLPTs to LPTs cannot be acceded to in the absence of any approved scheme for this purpose. Action is, however, underway to provide an auto change facility at the VLPTs in Himachal Pradesh during 2005-06 to enable relay of the regional service of DDK, Shimla.

(c) Tower for HPT at Dharmasala is under implementation. Tower for VLPTs at Chirgaon,Kaja and Phooladhar have already been commissioned.