(a) the details of the expenditure incurred under GRAMSAT scheme, especially in tribal/
minority dominated districts of Assam during the last three years including the current year;
(b) the details of programmes transmitted under this scheme;
(c) whether the State Government encourages tribal/minority people to participate in these
programmes with a view to promote tribal culture; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):
(a) Under ‘GRAMSAT’ scheme, ISRO’s contribution is to provide the necessary satellite bandwidth
to respective state governments. The expenditure for providing satellite bandwidth for last 3
years amounts to approximately ` 9 Crore (at a rate of ` 3 Crore per year). The expenditure towards
content generation and transmission is borne by the State Governments of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Orissa and Karnataka for the operation in their respective states. The ‘GRAMSAT’ scheme is not
operational in the state of Assam.
(b) The details of the programme transmitted under the scheme have been under the purview of the
State Governments concerned. Generally, these programmes cover areas such as mass education, tribal
culture, anganwadi workers’ training, fisheries, forest and environment.
(c) Yes, Madam.
(d) The State Governments concerned formulate the programmes to be transmitted on the GRAMSAT
network and include programmes such as ‘Kuch Soche Kuch Samjhe’, ‘Bhor Honewali Hai’, ‘Kahani Baba’,
‘Ek Tha Raja’, ‘Baat Hamari’ to promote tribal development and culture.