I

Kolkata, Nov 12 (UNI) The Information and Broadcasting Ministry will appoint a taskforce to look into overall development of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan.

The taskforce would look into hiking the remuneration of artists and allow debut artists more chance to show their talent, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said here today.

The taskforce would help in selection of archival materials and ways to modernise the archives of AIR and Doordarshan, Mr Dasmunshi said.

The taskforce would suggest ways to develop the Rainbow FM service at par with the private FM channels.

The taskforce, which would be formally announced tomorrow, would present it's report before the budget session of the Parliament.

''We will include veteran artists in the taskforce to suggest ways for development of content of AIR and Doordarshan,'' the minister said.

Mr Dasmunshi was speaking at the Akashvani Bhavan on the occasion of Public Service Broadcasting Day to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's first address in AIR to bring in peace in the refugee camps following partition in 1947.

He said archives in the AIR would be modernised by next March and efforts have been taken by his ministry to extend reach in the North East and Kashmir.

Veteran Music artists Ram Kumar Chattopadhyay and Juthika Ray graced the occasion.

UNI TJP PP SSC BD1136