(a) whether the Government propose to install high frequency FM/AIR/DD transmitters
in several regions close to the Indo-China Border between Tibet and Sikkim to combat
the incoming short and medium wave frequency broadcasts by Chinese
Radio/Doordarshan;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether to counter the foreign broadcasting in some border States the Government
has taken any concrete steps;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to ensure that the people in the region get Indian
programmes without any interruption?
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ANSWER
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THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 352, REGARDING DD/AIR TRANSMITTERS IN BORDER STATES
(a) & (b): During the 10th Five Year Plan, adequate number of low power FM Relay
Transmitters are envisaged for installation in all the four districts of Sikkim by All India
Radio, including East Sikkim and North Sikkim which are close to the Indo-China Border
between Tibet and Sikkim. Doordarshan has commissioned six High Power TV
transmitters (DD News) at Gangtok, Imphal, Kohima, Itanagar, Shillong & Aizawl in the
North East Region during 2003 and the existing DD1 High Power Transmitters (1KW) at
Shillong, Kohima, Imphal, Aizawl & Itanagar are scheduled for upgradation to 10 KW
HPTs by middle of 2004. At present, there is no approved scheme to set up any other
HPT close to Indo-China border.
(c) & (d): A number of Medium Wave/Short Wave/FM transmitters of All India Radio
and Doordarshan transmitters are operational to provide satisfactory coverage in border
areas. Details of Transmitters (All India Radio & Doordarshan) operational in different
border areas are given in Annexure-I and Annexure-III respectively. A number of
Radio/TV transmitters and other facilities have been set up in the State of J&K under a
special package with the objective of providing complete AIR/DD coverage within the
State and also to areas across the border. Specific emphasis has been given to
programme production for relay in these areas to effectively counter hostile broadcast
from across the border. A similar package for the North-East, envisages setting up
transmitters/ earth stations upgradation and modernisation of existing facilities, setting
up of Cable Head Ends, content creation, etc. The implementation of the above schemes
will enhance the reach of AIR and TV signals, both within the country and across the
borders.
(e): Prasar Bharati has informed that special emphasis is being given in the X Plan to
further strengthen the Radio/TV coverage in border areas of all States. Details of the
proposed projects are given in Annexure II and Annexure IV respectively. As regards
Doordarshan, it is their constant endeavor to maintain interruption free transmission
from its transmitters. At times, interruptions do occur due to failure of equipment/power
supply which are attended to promptly Diesel generators have been provided at
transmitters to minimise the interruption due to power supply failure.
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