Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 12: The failure of Prasar Bharti Broadcasting Corporation of India (PBBCI) authorities to replace the low transmitter at All India Radio (AIR), Poonch has given edge to three FM channels across the LoC in making the cultural invasion in this side of the country through their various programmes.
According to sources, established on October 4, 1994 by then Internal Security Minister, Rajesh Pilot as a source of entertainment for the people living near Line of Control (LoC) to keep them updated with the day today situation, AIR Poonch has miserably failed in its task. The reach of the transmitter is very low as it has served its life as its frequency has decreased now and transmitter has become out of date, sources added.
Sources said the AIR Poonch during its earlier days had its reach in the areas across LoC but after the establishment of three FMs by Pakistan in PoK along with some towers near LoC, the AIR Poonch failed to match the frequency of Pak FMs and not to speak of extending its reach across the border its transmission even does not reach the other tehsils of Poonch now.
Sources said besides the news, cultural programmes and counter propaganda is relayed from these FM channels, which easily become audible on radio sets and mobile phones on this side of LoC. This is because the frequency of AIR Poonch is weak and transmitter is low, sources added.
Sources said the AIR Poonch is facing shortage of staff and it is being run by the casuals. During its establishment in 1994 it was functioning with one Station Director, three Programme Executives, three transmission executives and other staff, but the Station is presently headed by a Programme Executive who is assisted by a Transmission Executive despite the fact that the Station is broadcasting programmes in Pahari, Gojri and Urdu languages for which specialized staff is needed, sources added.
Sources said instead of running 16 to 18 hour transmission, AIR Poonch runs transmission for seven hours a day. The transmission is started at 3pm in the afternoon and closed at 10 pm while there is no programme during the day, sources added.
This has happened despite the announcement of I&B Ministry six years back that morning transmission for districts of Poonch, Kathua and Bhaderwah will be started, sources said, adding the morning transmission for the rest of two stations has started since except Poonch which is a cause of concern among the masses.
In comparison to it, the FM channels across the LoC which are running for entire day have become an alternative source of entertainment for the people on this side of LoC due to failure of the Prasar Bharti to start the morning transmission and replace the transmitter.
However, when contacted the Head of AIR Poonch Tariq Ahmed said that Prasar Bharti is in the process of replacement of transmitter. The authorities have approved the same but due to the prevailing weather conditions its installment has been delayed.
Maintaining that the frequency of the existing transmitter has become weak, he said it is still audible in far flung areas of the district including Peer Ki Gali a high altitude place. The AIR Poonch still gets a good public response, he added.
He said that the decision regarding starting of the morning transmission lies with higher authorities but there is every, likelihood that it too may be started after the installation of new transmitter.
The technical team from Delhi has already inspected it and they have given their report also to authorities, he added.
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