FM transmission from Agartala should start by Nov: Dasmunshi

Agartala, Sep 27 (UNI) Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said the Frequency Modulus (FM) transmission from here should start by November.

The I&B Minister informed this to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar recently when the latter called on him in Delhi.

Mr Dasmunshi also agreed that there was a need to strengthen the transmission stations in the bordering states and also assured that all the suggestions would be looked into.

'' Special projects to meet the requirements of the North East and the bordering states would be taken up, if required,'' the I&B minister said.

The Minister admitted that there was an overall shortage of manpower, equipment and camera in Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), Agartala and as a result programme is getting affected. ''These needs to be augmented on an urgent basis by starting suitable programmes in the technical training institutions in the state,'' said Mr Dasmunshi.

He said the I&B Ministry is looking into the possibility of producing programmes through DDK Kolkata so that the duration of transmission of local programmes may be increased. ''This is done due to acute shortage of manpower in DDK, Agartala,'' he added. The minister stated that the Direct to Home (DTH) radio channel might start immediately and a decision for the DTH TV channel for all the NE states will be taken up very soon after taking into account the production and other supporting facilities.

UNI PD/PB KK SHB BD1427