AIR to spend Rs 4 bn to boost transmission in border areas

NEW DELHI: All India Radio has proposed Rs 3 billion under a new scheme for adequate coverage in border areas in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-eastern part of the country.

This is in addition to the continuing scheme under which Rs 1 billion has been proposed. The two schemes together will take care of the requirements of J&K and the North East in the 12th Plan.

However, Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources said the approved outlay for the 12th Plan is yet to be received.

Meanwhile, the sources said AIR has stations in 71 tribal areas out of the total 275 radio stations in 34 states and union territories as on 31 March this year.

However, 18 of them are giving below optimal performance because of either shortage of staff (seven) and ageing transmitters (11).

The sources admitted that in all 24 radio stations over the country were giving below optimal performance because of shortage of staff and 51 stations had problems of ageing transmitters (38 FM transmitters, 6 Short Wave and 7 Medium Wave). Sanction had been received for replacing a majority of these in the 12th Plan.