Direct DD, AIR to work in coordination with states: TN

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) Tamil Nadu government today asked the Centre to direct Doordarshan and All India Radio to work in coordination with the states and pay CST at new rates.

''It is time the central government directs Prasar Bharati'' to provide spicific time slots to ''propagate and enlighten people on the policies, programmes and schemes of the state governments,'' Information Minister Parithi Ellamvazhuthi said.

He was addressing the 26th conference of State Information Ministers here.

Prasar Bharati's contribution to further Tamil Nadu government's purposes and objectives ''has been quite negligible'' and as a ''so-called public broadcaster'' it must supplement regional aspirations, Mr Ellamvazhuthi said.

He also wanted the Centre to advise Prasar Bharati not to insist on reduced CST rate as form D has been withdrawn with effective from March 31, 2007.

Cinema theatres should be encouraged to enable them to provide leisure activity to the common man. ''This conference could think of ways to simplify and upgrade laws and suggest them to the state governments as well as providing incentives to the film industry in the country,'' the Minister said.

UNI