(a) whether to have a check on the anti-India propaganda on Pakistani T.V., any regional
channel has been launched or proposed to be launched in Jammu and Kashmir;
(b) if so, details thereof;
(c) whether the Government propose to launch regional channels in the country during 2000-
2001;
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the amount estimated to be spent thereon, State-wise;
(e) the time by which these are likely to be launched; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefore?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
AND THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT
(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) & (b): To popularize Doordarshan coverage in Jammu and Kashmir, a refurbished Kashir
Channel in terrestrial mode with extended transmission time from two hours to 15
hours per day has been launched from 26.1.2000. Entertainment oriented
programmes including programmes on women, youth, children, sports, current
affairs etc. are being telecast on this channel.
(c) to (f): Other than the Kashir Channel and the terrestrial regional networks (national
terrestrial network gets disaggregated into regional networks during certain hours
of the day), there are 10 Regional language satellite channels being operated by
Doordarshan which provide adequate coverage, through out the country. Since
January, 2000, the telecast duration of seven Regional language satellite
channels, i.e. Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu,
have been increased to 24 hours. There is a proposal to increase the telecast
duration of Punjabi Channel to 24 hours during the current financial year.
However, there is no proposal to launch any new regional channel during 2000-
2001.