NEW DELHI: The Government today termed strengthening of coverage of Doordarshan to counter anti-India propaganda along border areas as “ongoing process” and said the national broadcaster has given “priority” to its expansion through various plans.
In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that Prasar Bharti has approved a scheme in 11th Plan to further strengthen the television coverage in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Strengthening of TV coverage of Doordarshan (DD) to counter anti-India propaganda along border areas is an ongoing process. Doordarshan has been assigning priority to expansion of their coverage in border areas of the country in various expansion plans formulated from time to time,” Javadekar said to a question on details of measures taken by Government to complains (if any) regarding telecast of Pakistan TV in bordering areas.
He said special packages for expansion and improvement of Doordarshan services in J&Khave also been implemented in the past, and at present, Prasar Bharti has informed that 112 TV transmitters of varying power were functioning in the districts near the Pakistan border.
Javadekar said the Ministry of Home Affairs and Prasar Bharti have informed that the signals and coverage of Pakistan TV was available in the bordering districts of the country.
“However no complaints have been received during the last three years regarding telecast of Pakistan TV on bordering districts of the country,” he said while replying to a question on dates on which complaints were received by Government during last three years regarding telecast of Pakistan TV in India’s bordering districts.
Elaborating about Prasar Bharti’s approved scheme in 11th Plan to further strengthen TV coverage in J&K, Javadekar said it includes projects of establishment of five high power TV transmitters in J&K (Kashmir Region-1, Jammu Region-1, Ladakh Region-1 besides 2 high power transmitters at Rajouri)
“Above projects are expected to be completed in phases in about two years,” the minister said. (AGENCIES)