(a) Whether the Government/Doordarshan (DD) proposes to hand over its Direct to Home (DTH)
services to the private sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reason therefor;
(c) whether the personnel of All India Radio and Doordarshan had staged a dharna throughout
the country on 21.09.2011; and
(d) if so, the detail of demands made by them alongwith the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (DR.S.JAGATHRAKSHAKAN)
(a) & (b): No Sir. A Plan scheme for upgradation of Doordarshan’s DTH platform to 97 TV channels was approved
by the Government. Prasar Bharati board later approved further expansion of Doordarshan’s DTH platform to 150
channels. Prasar Bharati Board also approved the proposal of expansion of DTH platform by hiring of equipment
along with their operation and maintenance for a limited period
(c): Dharna and Lunch-Hour Gate meeting was held on 21.09.2011 between 10.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs and 13.00 hrs
to 14.15 hrs respectively at Akashwani Bhawan premises in support of their demands. DDK Guwahati and O/o ADG
(P), Guwahati also reported dharna from 10.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs.
No untoward incident were reported from any of the Stations of AIR and DD and no services were affected.
(d): The main demands of the Association are as follows:
(i) Start Recognition process of Associations of AIR & Doordarshan in time bound manner;
(ii) Till the process of recognition is completed, status-quo of recognition of Associations
as per AIR Manual may be maintained; and
(iii) To stop the process of out-sourcing of project works and procurements including rental
of equipments for DTH expansion.
The Ministry has asked Prasar Bharati to send the proposals to the Ministry as per Central Civil Services
(Recognition of Service Associations) Rules 1993.