Special central package for DD, AIR in J&K

KT NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, Aug 30: Union Cabinet here on Thursday approved Rs.

299.87 crore special packages for Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) in Jammu and Kashmir.

As part of J&K Special package, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved implantation of package for improvement of services in both the DD and the AIR.

Giving breakup of the package, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi here stated that an amount of Rs.

267.70 crore have been set aside for the generation of software from diverse sources for the DD Kashir Channel.

An amount of Rs.

127.75 crore will be spent during 2007-08 and Rs.

139.95 crore has been allocated for the year 2008-09.

32.17 crore has been provided to purchase equipment and related works.

25.12 crore for 2007-08 and Rs.

7.05 crore for 2008-09).

Munshi said the special package would enable DD Kashir channel to improve its viewership by providing wholesome programmes to its viewers in the State.

Further a concept note stated that the allocations would help counter the influence of propaganda from PoK and across the border.

"It would also help in generating quality programme content and streamline and strengthen the terrestrial broadcast infrastructure in the State," said the note.

DD Kashir has been always in news for negative reasons.

Unlike other regional channels, it has remained holed in Delhi and despite many attempts and commitments held by the successive prime ministers it has not moved to Srinagar.

It is alleged that producers commissioned to make making programs over past six years since its inception had little or no idea about Jammu and Kashmir.

It, therefore, failed to counter Pakistani channels, which has a larger viewership in the area due to its Urdu plays and clean comedies.