The Hindu : AID, DD's new package for North-East

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Saturday, Jan 04, 2003

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Other States - Assam

AID, DD's new package for North-East

By Barun Das Gupta

GUWAHATI JAN. 3 . A new package of programmes by Doordarshan and AIR for the eight States of the North-Eastern region were announced by the CEO, Prasar Bharati, K. S. Sharma and DG, DD, S. Y. Quraishi, at a press meet here today.

The total package will cost Rs. 320 crore. In 2003-04, which will be observed as the `Year of the North East', DD will get Rs. 23 crore and AIR Rs. 2 crore.

DD will also extend its reach in the region which now has an area coverage of 53.2 per cent only.

They said three ten KW FM transmitters would be set up at Agartala, Imphal and Shillong and a six KW one at Aizwal by March-end.

Direct-to-home (DTH) telecasting facility in the KU band will be provided to 160 villages (20 in each of the eight NE States) in remote border areas.

A 15-minute news bulletin in local language will be telecast from the capital of each of the NE States.

A separate north-eastern zone has been created with Guwahati as headquarters for the engineering staff of DD and AIR.

Responding to allegations of corruption at high levels in Guwahati DD, Mr. Sharma and Dr. Quraishi said they were determined to root out corruption and ensure transparency in selection of artistes and producers of tele-films.

In fact, the Chief Vigilance Officer, DD, Mr. Uday Sahay, will visit Guwahati in a fortnight and conduct an inquiry.

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