High priority for digitalization of DD & Air: I&B Minister

Source: NEWS on AIR A proposal for constitution of Prasar Bharati Recruitment Board is under interministerial consultation. It will enable Prasar Bharati to address the issues of staff crunch. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today (Nov 29, 2011), Information and Broadcasting Minister Mrs. Ambica Soni said that several steps are being taken to improve governance and financial management of Prasar Bharati. The Minister said that a Group of Ministers, GoM constituted by the government to look into various issues pertaining to the functioning of Prasar Bharati has given its recommendations. The GoM has suggested that government should extend financial assistance to Prasar Bharati from Non Plan Funds to meet 100 percent expenses towards salary and salary related expenses and augmentation of capital assets during the next five years from 201112 to 2015-16. The Minister said that her Ministry has accorded high priority for the digitalization of Doordarshan and All India Radio for which adequate funds have been provided to Prasar Bharati in the Plan allocation. Plan fund support is also being provided to Prasar Bharati for improving software on various Doordarshan and All India Radio channels. She said that Prasar Bharati also plans to expand its Direct-to Home, DTH platform from existing 59 channels which will provide better access and facility to people in rural areas. Mrs. Soni said that E-auctioning of slots on DTH to private channels has resulted in increase in the internal revenue generation of Prasar Bharati. Till date Prasar Bharati has generated 73.61 Crores rupees from auction of 29 slots on the DTH Doordarshan Platform.