DD, AIR to expand coverage in 11th Plan: Dasmunsi

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The Government was considering expansion of services of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan to more areas during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

Giving this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs P R Dasmunsi, however, said the Eleventh Plan was yet to be finalised.

He said the extent of TV coverage in terrestrial mode was 79 per cent by area and 91 per cent by population of the country.

The AIR covered 91.78 per cent of the area and 99.14 per cent of the population.

The whole of the country except Andaman and Nicobar Islands was also covered through Doordarshan's free to air DTH service.

Mr Dasmunsi said the DTH service was launched primarily for providing AIR/TV services to uncovered backward and rural areas.

Some more FM radio stations in such areas will also be considered under the Eleventh Plan subject to availability of funds, said the Minister.

UNI