(a) the details of regions which are not being covered by the All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan
(DD) in the country at present region-wise alongwith the reasons therefor;
(b) the steps taken by the Government on priority basis for the coverage of these areas along with
the outcome thereof during the last three years and the current year;
(c) whether the Government proposes to bring forward a comprehensive broadcasting legislation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI MANISH TEWARI)
(a) & (b) Prasar Bharati has informed that, presently, the, broadcast terrestrial coverage of All India Radio (AIR)
provided through 577 AM/ FM radio transmitters is 92.00% of the area and 99.20% population of the country. Only
0.80 % of the population of the country is not getting programmes of AIR through terrestrial Radio network. However,
21 radio channels (Programmes) of AIR are available through DD Direct plus DTH platform (Ku-band) and these can be
received through a set top box all over the country including uncovered areas.
AIR and Doordarshan have initiated steps to augment the existing AM/FM transmitters and setting up additional transmitters
of various capacities, keeping in view the availability of funds.
For improvement of terrestrial coverage the following new transmitters (in replacement of LPT) have been set up during the
last three years and the current year
1. HPT Bilaspur (Chhatisgarh) 2. HPT Mehboobnagar (interim set up) Andhra Pradesh.
In addition, high power transmitters (interim set up) at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu and Kokrajhar in Assam have been upgraded
from 1 KW to 10 KW (permanent set up).
In view of multichannel TV coverge having been provided through Doordarshan free to air DTH, new transmitter for expansion
of terrestrial coverage are now not envisaged (except a few in border areas)
(c) & (d) At present, Government has no such proposal to bring a comprehensive broadcasting legislation.