GUWAHATI, Nov 12 � With the budget allocation for the North East Zone of Prasar Bharati by the Planning Commission going down considerably in recent times, uncertainty looms over the plan to set up two 24X7 channels in the region.
The announcement to set up two channels in addition to DD 13 was made in 2006 by the then Information and Broadcasting Minister, PR Dasmunshi.
Moreover, the wait for those vouching for announcement of Commissioned Programme under Prasar Bharati would continue, with the authorities yet to take a decision on the matter. No Commissioned Programme has been announced for almost three years now owing to fund crunch, audit objection and poor quality of the content.
Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati Jawhar Sircar told newsmen today that fund allocation for the North East Zone by the Planning Commission had been slashed drastically and as far as setting up of the two new channels was concerned, the matter would be taken up by the Chief Minister with the higher-ups.
He said that there was a need to mobilize funds (earmarked for NE) from other ministries as well. Sircar added that the budget allocation for the year 2013-14 had also been slashed to Rs 20 crore approximately.
�Whatever funds are available will be spend on clearing the pending bills,� stated Sircar who was here to take part in a function organized on the occasion of Public Service Broadcasting Day. The day is observed commemorating Mahatma Gandhi�s maiden address to the nation post independence from the studios of All India Radio, New Delhi.
A host of issues including content and programme strategy were also discussed in the interaction programme of the CEO with the officials of Prasar Bharati.
The CEO, however, assured that initiatives were being taken to telecast programme from the North East across the country through DD National and DD (Bharati).
�The reach-out programme of Doordarshan and All India Radio is also being given top priority. In case of AIR, importance will be given more to FM stations,� he added.
